Jimmy Louis Sparks

Dear Mrs. Sparks,

I only met Mr. Sparks once, he helped with the carpool by driving a carload of us Turrentine choral students to Raleigh when "The Sound of Music" movie first opened there in the big-screen stereo music movie theater downtown. You were my choral teacher and you let us students take a field trip to see the movie in Raleigh. On the way back that evening, since we had missed the supper hour watching the movie and it was getting on up in the evening, Mr. Sparks let us stop at Honey's drive-in restaurant in Durham on I-85. We all ate then decided to have dessert, too. Mr. Sparks said he was going to take a bite of every dessert that came into the car window. AND HE DID! He was a saint to have put up with us students anyway like he did on that trip!



And THANK YOU for the MUSIC!!! I loved it before I ever took Chorus in school (I was a piano student) but you gave us all an introduction to musical theater that many of us would probably never have had otherwise. Those classes of yours were a bright spot in my schoolday back then.



And as God is good to us all, I am blessed that my husband loves all kinds of music too! He has taken me to see Riverdance, James Galway, Greensboro Symphony, Alvin Ailey dance troupe, and several other programs nearby and in Washington, DC at the Kennedy Center. (I still don't have a great singing voice or talent myself, but "make a joyful noise" nonetheless sometimes.) Thanks for letting all of us students be graced with YOUR talent-I appreciate all you did for us and will never forget it!



And I surely am sorry for your loss. May God bless you and keep you and your family through this rough time.

You and your Family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you and may He fill you with Grace and Peace.

Thomasene,Tanya and Family:

My thoughts and prayers are with you

during this time.

Grace Teddy

Dear Tommie,

I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to you and your whole family.You are in my thoughts and prayers.

With Love,

Betty

Tommie,

You are in my and Ruby's prayers as you deal with the loss of Jim. You and I know that Jim is now in the presence of the Lord he has always loved to praise. He has heard the words "Well done good and Faithful Servant." Jim was a wonderful friend to me. I will always cherish our time together and our conversations. I will never forget his loving spirit and his godly advice. I will forever be grateful for the blessing of having him as a friend and influence in my life. If Ruby or I can ever do anything for you or pray for you in any way don't hesitate to contact me.

In Christ,

Michael

One of the great ones gone on to his reward. He will be missed!!

To Thomasene & Family:

We believe sometimes it's hard to understand and harder, still to say

Thy Will be done, when sorrow comes and sadness fills the day. But in His wisdom God has planned

Beyond our power to see.

But faith is meant for times like these and if you take God's hand-

With loving wisdom He will help your hearts to understand.

May you cherish the years you spent with Jim and leave the rest with God!

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Prayerfully submitted,

Dear Mrs. Sparks,

My heart goes out to you and your family in this sad time. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband.

I was a student of yours the last year of, " 9th grade, Sellars Gunn".

Even though i never met Mr. Sparks, I know he was a fine man. As long as you keep him in your heart, and memories. he will live forever.

In deepest sympathy.

shan

Tommie, Our thoughts are with you and your family. Jimmy was special to our family. Shull & Ever Whitaker. Wm & Carolyn W. Dellinger

Tommie, we were surprised to hear of Jimmy's illness and death. You and the family have our deepest sympathy. We enjoyed having you as our choir director and Jimmy singing in the choir. He could always make us laugh and have a good time. You and your family will be in our prayers.

(Bethany Church Choir members)

You and Jim were an inspiration to our family while you were at Mt. Sinai. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

God Bless You.

Our sincere sympathy.

--Verona and Earl

Tommie,

Our prauers and thought are with you during this time. Jim and you meant alot to us while you were with us. May God bless you. We Love you

Dear Tommie & Family,



I was sorry to hear of Jim's passing. But I know his faithful work for the Lord is now rewarded.

Jim's ministry at Double Springs was one of total commitment and

and was anointed by the Holy Spirit.

I was truly blessed by his messages and will always treasure the time you were at our church. Your family is truly blessed with the gift of music and I will always treasure the times you allowed Mary & I to serve with you.

I cannot be with you at the memorial service due to illness. Know that my love and prayers are with you and your special family tonight as well as in the coming days.

In His Love,

Faye

I will keep all of you in my prayers. I remember when Preacher Sparks was an Interm pastor at Mt. Pleasant Babtist where I go and he was and still is my faveorite preacher of them all. In 1999 he gave 4 children a silver dollar and told us not to spend is on bubble gum to keep it and I want you all to know that I still have that and now I am 14 Years old. Remember he is in a better place. I love you all

Jessica

Thinking of you and your family. We are keeping you in our prayers.

Jimmy was a good boy and a good man.

He lived a good example for all. Cliffside is proud of Jimmy.

Deepest regrets from Lester Campbell and family. Jim was a great guy.

Dear Sparks Family,



Philippians 1;21 For me to live is Christ to die is gain!

We praise God for Jim's life in Christ! For his obedience to God, his family, and fellow man. I will always remember "The Sounds of Glory" on Labor Day, All of you continue to be in our prayers and I rejoice for brother Jim because his soul is now complete!

Tommie and Family,



You are in our prayers. God has poured out his spirit upon you throughout all these years and he shall continue to bless you and your family.



God is with you,

Charles and Martha

Tommie - I really don't remember

Jimmy although we both are from

Cliffside. That fact alone causes

me to share in your grief. Be

assured God will sustain you and

carry you through this period of

loss.

Goodbye, Jimmy. There's a special place in heaven for good people like you.

I was so sad to hear of Jimmy's illness and death. I enjoyed working with him so much at Turrentine. We laughed and acted silly entirely too much for two supposedly mature teachers. I still have at least one of Jim's literary masterpieces he wrote when someone retired. He was great at coming up with just the right thing to say at a time like that.

I'm sorry that Jim had to go through this last ordeal. He had already had to do this once. I'm happy for you and for Jim that he is no longer suffering, and is at home with the Lord to enjoy an eternity of happiness and good health.

You will all be in my prayers as you go through this coming year. It will be hard, but friends, family, and your faith with sustain you as you meet each situation.

Love to you, Frances Hindman

Our prayers, love, and support are with you in this time of sorrow. We know Jimmy is with our Lord and rejoicing with the saints and we know that one day we will all be together again. We love you.

To Mrs. Thomasene Sparks and Family.

My heart felt sympathy go out to you and your family. May God Bless you and keep you always.

(Williams High School, Class of 72)

Music student of Mrs. Sparks

Tommie and family,

You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Sincerely, John, Linda, Carson Cabiness

We love and are praying for you.



Love,

Butch & Sandy Crawley