Joyce Lee Sparks

Joyce Lee (Zook) Sparks, 96, of Flora, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 16, 2025.

Born Mar. 19, 1929, in Terre Haute, IN, she was the daughter of Claude and Myrtle (Snyder) Zook. She was a 1947 graduate of Delphi High School and a member of the drama club and cheerleading team. She married Ralph Lee Sparks on Dec. 24, 1949, at Radnor Methodist Church, after his return from WWII. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 2017 (92). Together they owned and operated the J-Ann Shop, women’s apparel store, for 42 years, which they sold in 2003.

Recognized for her community service, Joyce received many awards in her lifetime: the Blue Collar Award in 1975 from the Flora Rotary Club, The Pete Award in 1989 for outstanding community service, The Flora Community Clubs Extra Mile Award in 2012, a 50 year certificate of sisterhood in Delta Theta Chi sorority, and volunteer-of-the-year for IHCA serving the Brethren’s Nursing Home for four years.

Above all, Joyce was passionate about her faith and lived every day serving others. To the age of 92, she blessed many friends in the community with her homemade bread and soup, sealed with prayers, that she delivered weekly. God brought several young girls into her life that she helped raise or mentor, changing their lives forever. A lifelong active member of the Flora United Methodist Church, she was a choir member, helped in the kitchen for various events and was a children’s Sunday school teacher for 37 years.

Ralph and Joyce’s greatest joy was raising two children: Teresa (Matt) Hodgdon of Saint Simons Island, GA, and Brad Sparks of Carmel, IN, and spoiling their four grandchildren: Ryan (Anna) Hodgdon, Kari (Patton) Kizzire, Weston Sparks and Danielle (Joe) Holland. She was also blessed with seven great grandchildren. In her later years, she delighted in spending time with her extended family and playing cards weekly, earning the name “the terminator.”

Joyce was also preceded in death by four sisters: Mary Bernice Zook, Pauline Heffley, Laverna Zinn & Betty Kuzmaul.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 23 from 9-11am at the Fountain of Grace Church (formerly Flora United Methodist Church) followed by a funeral service at 11am, Pastor Bruce Hankins officiating. Burial will be at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Flora. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to the Fountain of Grace Church and the Kokomo Rescue Mission.org. Day and Genda funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.