Evelyn May Smitherman Sparks

Winston-Salem-Evelyn May Smitherman Sparks, 87, of 4950 Beckel Road, died peacefully the morning of January 8, 2013 at Forsyth Medical Center. Members of her family were at her bedside. She had been struggling with Parkinson's Disease and resided at Southfork Senior Living Community for the past one and a half years. Evelyn was born in Forsyth County on September 11, 1925, to Flora Katherine and Jether Alonzo Smitherman. She was married in 1946 to Cecil Max Sparks, who died in 1996. Early in their marriage they worked together for four years at Jackson Training School in Concord, a North Carolina residential facility for juvenile offenders. Max taught math and Evelyn was housemother for the boys in their care. Later on, giving credit to an accounting course at Elkin High School, she became a bookkeeper at the former Farmers Dairy, then at the former Buena Vista Shop, The Summit School, and Douglas Battery Company, from which she retired. Her garden was bountiful, her pantry filled with canned goods, and her meals treasured by all who sat at her table. Through all of her life, with its ups and downs, she never lost her sense of humor. Her extended family, on her 80th birthday, named her ‘caretaker of the century"" for the generous, compassionate care she gave through the years to those in need of nurturing and healing. She is survived by three sons: William J. Sparks (Marla) of Lewisville; Timothy K. Sparks (Chryll) of Minneapolis; and Steven B. Sparks (Beth) of Welcome. Also, grandchildren: Tara Pitts (Brad) of Lewisville; Melisse Dunham (Mac) of New Bern; Garret Sparks (Maggie) of Pfafftown; Bryan Sparks (Melissa) of Lexington; Jessie Musgrove (Rick) of Winston-Salem, Tyler Sparks (Michael) of Winston-Salem; Donovan Weimar (Sarah) of Minneapolis and Terri de Pardo (Fernando) of Minneapolis. Also great-grandchildren: Mallory and Campbell Pitts; Will, Charlotte and Sophie Dunham; Claire, Kate and Anna Sparks; Skylar and Dayton Sparks, Riley Richardson, Kenzie Musgrove; Roman and Cassandra Pardo; and Kayla, Madison and Max Weimar. Three siblings survive: Opal Smitherman Mabe of Phoenix, Joan Smitheman Dawson of Winston-Salem and Wes Smitherman (Lynette) of Jamestown. A visitation is planned at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway between 6:00pm and 8:00pm on Saturday, January 19th. A private graveside service will b held on Sunday. January 20th. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.

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