Billy Joe Sparks

Born August 10, 1939 and passed July 18, 2020, 80 years old.

Funeral will be graveside at Alva Cemetery Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Address: Cemetery Road, Alva Florida 33920

Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park on State Road 82 will be doing the

arrangements for the funeral. **No services at funeral home, services at Alva Cemetery.

Everyone who would like to come is invited.

We are asking that everyone wear a mask and social distance . We are having the funeral graveside to give everyone

that wants to come an opportunity to come without being crowded together and to be safe. Thank you in advance.

If you’re not able to come or would like to send flowers or sign the guest book you can go to leememorialpark.com.

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Survived by:

Children Billy James Sparks

Shandalynn Leoria Whidden

Grandchildren Amanda (Ray) Lynn Sparks of Bartow

Julia Leoria Sparks of Bartow

Jesse James (Paula) Sparks of Bartow

Beth Ann (Joshua) Gacusana of LaBelle

Christopher Lee (Jennnifer)Sparks of Summerfield

Donna Marie Whidden of Fort Myers

Victoria Louise Whidden of Fort Myers

Donnie Gene Whidden of Raleigh

Great-Grandchildren Sarah Sparks Erin Sparks and Great Great Grandson(on the way)

Austin Sparks Shyanne Sparks Pelham

Michayla Hicks Kimberly Sparks Drabant

Albree Sparks Evan Adkins

Jorja Sparks Cooper Hicks

Taylor Hicks and Tana Arionna Cavazos

Shawn White, Jr Ariel Whidden

Emress Gacusana Leevi Scarborough

Alaina Canales Nayeli Garza

Siblings Ray (Hazel) Sparks of Mississippi Oneal (Faye) Sparks of Alabama

Danny (Julie) Sparks of Mississippi Joyce (Roy) Rosas Collazo of Texas

Daughter-in-Law Tammy (Eddie) Keen

Best Friend (Like a brother) Jesus “Jake” Santiago

He is preceded in death by:

His loving wife Minnie Lee (Peters) Sparks

His parents Hezzie Kie Sparks and Neva Mae (Barnes) Sparks

His Father and Mother in-Law James Edward Peters and Dollie Mae (Alday) Peters

Siblings Lloyd Sparks, Jack Sparks, Hollis Sparks, Polly (Sparks) Hargett,

Faye (Sparks) King, Sue (Sparks) Busby, Ann Sparks, Laura Sparks

Sister-in-Law Julie (Carver) Sparks

Daughter-in-Law Jackie (Walworth) Sparks

Grandchildren Billy James Sparks Shandalynn Leoria Sparks

Georgia Faith Hicks Javik Gacusana

Paula (Bumgarner) Sparks

He was a wonderful man who loved his family and believed in working hard and being honest. He began his life in

Mississippi. He had a large family and they were farmers and traveled from state to state trying to make a life.They

settled in Immokalee and he went to school there. He met his soon to be wife Minnie Lee Peters in Alva, Florida. He

was driving by and she whistled at him. He turned around and went back. They fell in love at 18 and almost 16 years

old they would marry and had a beautiful 56 years together. He has gone to be with the Lord and is reunited with his

wife and all his loved ones once again. I’m pretty sure they are very happy to see him and I know there will be no

sorrows or pain there. I always wanted the very best for him and now he has it all. We will love you always and

forever. We will never forget the lessons you taught us along the way, kisses and hugs.