Tonya Dawn Sparkman Wilde

Tonya Dawn Sparkman Wilde (52) born June 27, 1972, passed away on December 29th, 2024, in Jacksonville, NC after years of battling chronic illness. She died as she lived – surrounded by love and laughter with her friends and family, and her heart focused on the Lord.
Tonya was a native of Illinois, where she lived until graduating from Morton High School. She served in the United States Navy from 1990-1992 as a Cryptologic Technician, before being medically retired. Tonya returned to school and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington with a BA in Education and served as a teacher at Silverdale Elementary School for many years. She loved children and believed that educating children was her highest calling. After retiring from teaching, she found fulfillment in tutoring, teaching Vacation Bible School, and reading to children. She lived by the motto "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try" – JFK.
Tonya's greatest joy and accomplishment was her daughter, Aimee. She is survived by her daughter, Aimee Potter, her two sisters (Tracy Lockenour and Holly Rushenburg), and her nieces and nephews (Reggie, Racheal, Katie, Jessie, Brock, Kaylee, Brady, and Bryce). She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Donna Sparkman and her sister Kelly Sparkman Rhoades.
Tonya had the biggest personality – she was funny, kind, giving, and lived every moment "out loud". She loved others as she wanted to be loved – selflessly and unconditionally. She lived her life to the fullest, despite her many health challenges. It is impossible to capture the lives she touched, the joy she shared, and the drive she had to live.
In her own words: " I hope that when people look at me, they see Jesus. I have spent my life trying to become a better person than I am. I hope that I served God with my heart, and that my daughter thinks I was a good mother. That is all that is important to me. I hope when I leave this world, it is better than when I entered it. I pray that my family will continue to serve others after I am gone. I pray that every member of my extended family can say they know and love the Lord. If that is true, I will have lived a good life".
To honor Tonya's life, services will be held at Enon Chapel Baptist Church, 333 Freedom Way, Midway Park, NC 28544.
January 2nd at 1pm: Viewing and Visitation
January 2nd at 2pm: Service and celebration of life (Please consider dressing in colors other than black to honor her vibrant personality!)
Later date: Internment at Coastal Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery for close family