Barbara Sparks

Barbara Ann Deal Sparks , 80, of Kingsland, Ga., died Wednesday, December 6 th , 2017, at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Ga.
A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, December 10 th , 2017 in the Old Chapel of First Baptist Church Kingsland, with the Rev. Brian Parker officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM on Saturday, December 9 th , 2017 at Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland, Ga.
A grave side service will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Marys, Ga.  Pallbearers will be Dale Williams, Don O’Neal, Jon McCahan, Timmy Mann, Stacy Hines, & Skip Lampkin. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Joy Sunday School Class and all members of the Clerical Staff at First Baptist Church Kingsland.
Barbara was born on March 30th, 1937 and grew up in Bulloch County, Ga. She graduated from Statesboro High School. After high school, she worked as a secretary at a local manufacturing company. She married her beloved Solomon Sparks on November 27th, 1957 and they moved to Savannah in 1958, where they lived until 1965 when they made their home in Kingsland. Barbara was a full-time mom and homemaker. In 1974 she began serving as Secretary and all around administrative assistant at First Baptist Church Kingsland. She retired after 24 years of dedicated service to her church and community.   Barbara’s church was always a cornerstone of her life and work. She served in positions ranging from Director of Preschool Education, Financial Secretary, Girls Auxiliary Leader, taught a variety of Sunday school classes and served on committees, such as the Pastor Search Committee, Bereavement committee, and many others.
Upon retirement, she and Solomon enjoyed traveling the world. They visited places from Costa Rica and Hawaii to Switzerland and the Northeastern United States. She and Solomon became very active in the local and state Georgia Retired Educators Association. They relished both the renewal of old relationships and creating new friendships through this organization.  Barbara loved being a mother, grandmother and being able to spend any time with them was always a highlight of her life. She especially enjoyed spending time with her four granddaughters she adored.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Albert S. and Ida Deal, her sister, Linda Jordan, and her niece, Angie Oglesby.
Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Solomon Sparks; her daughters, Theresa (Meighan) Sparks and Stephanie (Ralph) Marr; her son, S. Michael (Elizabeth) Sparks; her brother, Jackie (Debbie) Deal; and her granddaughters, Mallory Marr, Madeline Sparks, Molly Sparks, and Grace Sparks.
She appreciated the care provided by Drs. James Foran and Alva Roche-Green, and the staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles.
The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hematology/Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224; International Missions at First Baptist Church, 295 E. Chester St., Kingsland, GA 31548; or Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525.
March 30, 1937 – December 6, 2017