Person Page 5,201

Ronald Phillip Sparks was born on 12 July 1938 in Erwin, Unicoi Co., TN; son of Ralph Morgan and Julia (Bailey) Sparks of Unicoi County. He married Melinda Jane Jennings, daughter of Oscar Mann Jennings and Jane Alta Weaver, on 27 January 1962 in Unicoi Co., TN; ceremony by Rev. Donald E. Kribbs, M.G. Ronald Phillip Sparks died on 28 November 2021 in Knoxville, Knox Co., TN,

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Ronald (Ron) Phillip Sparks, age 83, went to his heavenly home on November 28, 2021.

Ron was born to Ralph, Sr and Julia (Bailey) Sparks in Erwin, Tennessee where he lived most of his life. Ron married Melinda Jennings in 1962 and they raised two sons Kevin and Gary Sparks. They moved to Knoxville, TN to be near their grandchildren after his retirement.

His career included time working for Clinchfield Railroad, Hoover Ball, GMF and Aerojet (in Jonesborough, TN). Ron was a Christian and long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Erwin where he served as a Deacon. After moving to Knoxville, he was a member of First Baptist Concord where he enjoyed working on/building sets for VBS and Christmas productions.

He was a loving, compassionate husband, father and grandad. Ron's greatest joy was beach time with his family, golf, Tennessee Vols and NASCAR. During his retirement, he was devoted to spending time with his two grandchildren. He and Melinda were also involved for several years with the Mission of Hope ministry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother (Everette) and one son (Gary).

Ron is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 60 years, Melinda Sparks, their son Kevin (Lori) of Knoxville, TN, grandchildren Chelsea Chrisp (Neil) of Nolensville, TN and Andrew Sparks of Knoxville and sister Carrie Lee (Stanley) Edwards of Erwin, TN, brother Ralph, Jr (Wanda) of Erwin, TN, sister-in-law Donna Sparks of Gainesville, FL, brother-in-law Robert Jennings (Cheryl) of Erwin, TN, sister-in-law Carleen Anderson of Knoxville and his great-grandchildren Emory Chrisp and Nolan Chrisp, many nieces and nephews, and countless life-long friends.

The Interment service will be held on January 29, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Evergreen Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Ron to the Mission of Hope, PO Box 51824, Knoxville, TN 37950 or Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Ron loved knowing that through the activities of these charities, children would not only receive gifts and needed items, but most importantly the message of the hope of Jesus Christ.

Ron will be dearly missed by all those who loved him.

He was buried in December 2021 in Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, Unicoi Co., TN, Findagrave #235917358.

Gary Alan Sparks was born on 17 August 1968 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN. He died on 13 December 1995 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN,

Obituary – Johnson City Press, Johnson City, Tennessee; Friday, 15 DEC 1995, page 2 (Newspapers.com):

GARY A. SPARKS
Gary Alan Sparks, 27, 736 Grove St., Erwin, died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1995, at Johnson City Medical Center.

He was a Johnson City native and had lived in Erwin most of his life. Mr. Sparks was a son of Ronald and Melinda Weaver Sparks, Erwin.

He was employed by Crew Masters Inc., Nashville, having worked as an audio engineer for many nationally-known entertainers.

Mr. Sparks had taught an audio engineering lab course at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include one brother, Kevin Sparks, Knoxville; paternal grandmother, Julie Sparks, Erwin; one niece, Chelsea Sparks, Knoxville; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Valley, Erwin (743-9187.)

He was buried in December 1995 in Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, Unicoi Co., TN, Findagrave #36359409.

Stanley Eugene "Gene" Keefauver was born on 4 March 1910 in Washington Co., TN. He married Mary Marguerite White on 26 October 1940 in Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN; ceremony by Rev. Dr. W. R. Rigell, pastor. He and Mary Marguerite White were divorced before 1970. He died on 26 February 1980 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN,

He was buried in 1980 in Beard Cemetery, Washington Co., TN, Findagrave #61068635.

Stanley Eugene "Gene" Keefauver lived in 1973 in Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN.

Mary Marguerite White was born on 25 February 1918 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN; daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Ellis) White. She married Stanley Eugene "Gene" Keefauver, son of Robert Shelton "Buck" Keefauver and Fannie Milhorn, on 26 October 1940 in Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN; ceremony by Rev. Dr. W. R. Rigell, pastor. Mary Marguerite White and Stanley Eugene "Gene" Keefauver were divorced before 1970. She died on 29 September 2007 in Washington Co., TN.

Mary Marguerite White lived in 1973 in Carter Hall, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN.

Robert Shelton "Buck" Keefauver was born on 9 February 1882 in Boone's Creek, Washington Co., TN.¹ He married Fannie Milhorn on 6 June 1909. He died on 31 August 1967 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN,

He was buried in September 1967 in Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN, Findagrave #112710694.

Fannie Milhorn was born on 8 December 1887 in Washington Co., TN; daughter of William and Edith (Beard) Milhorn. She married Robert Shelton "Buck" Keefauver, son of Alvin Van Buren Keefauver and Nora Ann Crouch, on 6 June 1909. Fannie Milhorn died on 1 May 1975 in Greeneville, Greene Co., TN.

She was buried in May 1975 in Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN, Findagrave #112710736.

Alvin Van Buren Keefauver was born on 5 October 1859 in Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN.¹ He married Nora Ann Crouch, daughter of Alfred Miller Crouch and Rebecca Young, on 21 December 1880. Alvin Van Buren Keefauver died on 2 January 1930 in Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN.

He was buried in January 1930 in Boones Creek Christian Church Cemetery, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN, Findagrave #59854072.

Occupation: Farmer.

Nora Ann Crouch was born on 17 March 1861 in Washington Co., TN.¹ She married Alvin Van Buren Keefauver, son of George Lynch Keefauver and Lydia Ann Bacon, on 21 December 1880. Nora Ann Crouch died on 28 February 1950 in Washington Co., TN.

She was buried in March 1950 in Boones Creek Christian Church Cemetery, Johnson City, Washington Co., TN, Findagrave #59854087.