Ethel Irene Sparks

Ethel Irene Sparks,age 90, of Redding, California passed away on April 4, 2026 in the care of loved ones. Ethel was born in Gorman, Texas on February 17, 1936, the daughter of Doak and Ruby Martin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Sparks, her parents Doak and Ruby Martin, brothers Thomas George(Tommy) Martin and Robert Charles(Charlie) Martin, as well as life-long friend, Nicky Salyer. Ethel is survived by her children Ricky Salyer, Donnie Salyer(Maria), Brenda Lamph(Todd), Robert Salyer(Bonnie), Billy Dollar(Cheryl), her sister Gwen Martin-Santos, and life-long friend, Joan Salyer. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Eileen Wood(Kris), Samantha Len(Andy), Emili Dixon(Taylor), Bradley Salyer, Sean Salyer, and Madison McCracken(Brandon) along with great-grandchildren Zoe, Phoebe, Westley, Liv, Daphne, and Tristan. Also of great importance to Ethel were the numerous church friends and bowling buddies she left as she went to be with her Savior.

The "Ethel Irene Martin" Era: During her early childhood, Ethel's parents moved to California to be near family(Martin/Ellis).The family resided in an area of Loma Linda they referred to as Okieville. She attended elementary school in Mentone, and her junior high and high school education took place in Redlands. While she was in high school, as it is told by her sister (Gwen), Ethel ran with the in-crowd (soshes) at Redlands High, and there she worked determinedly to maintain top marks in academic subjects. She was also gifted in poetry writing, and won a banjo in a contest she entered for her sister, as she was too old to enter it on her own. To be noted also, is that Ethel's innate gift to care for and nurture others was at play at this period in her life as she was an integral part of helping provide care and support to her younger siblings during times that their mother wasn't able. As a young woman, she worked for the prophetic radio minister,Howard Estep, McBurney's Inc., and Stockwell and Binney where she put her exceptional typing and shorthand skills to great use. Ethel attended Victory Baptist Church where she committed her life to Jesus Christ. It was during a church service being led by Victor (Pappy) Salyer that she met, and, soon after, married her first husband, Nicky Salyer.

The "Ethel Irene Salyer" Era: After Ethel married Nick, she became a homemaker and stay at home mom. Ethel’s career as “Mommy” began on July 9,1957 when her first son, Ricky Louis, was born, followed by Donnie Allen(1959), Brenda Eleen(1962), and Robert Laurence(1966). If there could have been a degree for her valuable gift of caring for others, she would have been granted a PHD. Ethel raised her three sons and daughter in Highgrove, and equipped them for life by providing loving care and protection, while instilling core values that they carry with them today. She was very proud of her kids, and prayed for their well–being constantly throughout the years. During this period, she was a team mom for various little league and pony football teams, a classroom volunteer at Highgrove Elementary School, and a band booster at John W. North High School. She supported the many endeavors of her children: baseball, football, karate, swim lessons, dance lessons, bronc riding, FFA/4-H, and marching band while living on Carlota Way. During these years, Ethel also did freelance typing work for high school and college students, she learned cake decorating, completed seamstress work for family and friends, and developed the greatest collection of Elvis memorabilia outside of Graceland. Though Nick and Ethel divorced, they maintained a strong friendship until his passing in 2024.

The "Ethel Irene Sparks(Grammie) Era": Ethel married Fred James Sparks in 1985 while still living in Riverside. It is in this time period that she gained her most important life title,”Grammie”, when her first grandchild, Eileen, came into the world. A short time later, Ethel and Fred moved to Redding, California where they created a cozy life and home on Terrace Drive. In this home, all the grandchildren gained priceless memories and learned valuable life lessons from Grammie and Pa. It can't be put into words how special the Thanksgiving, Christmas ,and Easter gatherings that Grammie hosted were to her children and grandchildren at this picture-perfect home on Terrace Drive. It was also in this home that Ethel and Fred reconnected with nephew Billy Dollar. Grammie’s kitchen was always filled with yummy treats. She was especially adept at keeping the Bigg Dogg happy with “beans and corn”, making Toas-Tites for Ricky and Donnie, satisfying the need Todd and Samantha had for chicken fried steak, making all the grandkids drool with her famous macaroni and cheese, and keeping Bob happy with “boo berry” muffins. So impressive was her cooking that Samantha and Emili made a keepsake apron ,“Grammie’s Cookin’, “for her one Christmas. Ethel enjoyed her two to three days a week of bowling that started early in her time in Redding, when she joined her first league with her former mother-in-law, Florence (Nanny) Salyer. In recent years, she took great pride bowling with her grandson, Bradley, at local tournaments. Also important to note, during this period Ethel and Fred took several grand trips with their lifelong friends, Nick and Joan Salyer: an Alaskan Cruise, a tour of the British Isles, and a tour of the Holy Land. It was during this trip to Israel that Ethel was baptized, a second time, in the Jordan River by her favorite pastor. In 2017, Ethel and Fred downsized to their home in Shasta Hills Estates for their final years together. Among the greatest highlights of this period for Grammie was attending the weddings of all four granddaughters: Samantha, Emili, Eileen, and Madison. She took great pride in the accomplishments of all the grandkids, and she knew her prayers had been answered when her two youngest grandkids, Sean and Madison gained professional employment last year. Bob and Bonnie hosted a memorable 90th birthday bash at the bowling alley in February. What a blessing! These last years of Ethel's life were devoted to time with her family and friends, bowling at Country Bowl, and worshipping at Little Country Church. Ethel- Grammie- "the Fat Lady”- Sparks is happy in heaven, probably bowling with Elvis, but most certainly is praising The King!