Solomon Sparks

Solomon M. Sparks, 89, of Kingsland, Georgia passed awayJanuary 9, 2024, at Hospice of the Golden Isles with all of his children at his side.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Kingsland First Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Brodie officiating.  A graveside service will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Marys, Georgia. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm at the Kingsland First Baptist Church Chapel.

The pallbearers are Justin Bickmore, Neal Bickmore, Justin Jennings, Timmy Mann, Andrew Williams, and Dale Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School Class, Camden County High School Vocational Department, and Camden County Retired Educators Association.

Solomon was born near the town of Portal in Bulloch County, Georgia, on September 19th, 1934. He is the son of the late Joseph B. and Virginia Proctor Sparks. He lived with his paternal grandparents after the death of his mother.  Upon his grandmother’s death, his Aunt Lila Mae and Uncle J.C. Dixon took him into their home to love and raise.  As a family of sharecroppers, his early life consisted of moving from farm to farm and elementary school to elementary school.

Solomon graduated from the Marvin Pitman Laboratory School on the campus of Georgia Teachers College in 1955, currently Georgia Southern University. He was the salutatorian of his class, president of the student council, president of the newly formed Beta Club, and president of the Future Farmers of America. One of the extra jobs he had during high school was driving the morning and afternoon bus routes for the Statesboro school system.  It was in this job that he met his future wife, Barbara Ann Deal.

Solomon proudly served in the Air National Guard and then in the U.S. Army Reserves.  He began his service while still in high school.

After high school graduation, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Teachers College.  As an educator, he believed in lifelong learning and continued his formal education at the University of Georgia where he earned both a Master’s degree and an Educational Specialist degree.  He remained a lifelong DAWG supporter and fan.

On November 27, 1957, Solomon married his beloved Barbara Ann Deal.   He felt fortunate to have found Barbara and believed that it was God’s plan for the two of them to live their lives together as partners. They moved to Savannah in 1958, where he began his teaching career at Richard Arnold High School.  He taught drafting and industrial arts. He and Barbara joined Morningside Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon, served as Sunday School teacher, and later Sunday School director.

In 1965, Solomon accepted a position with the Camden County Board of Education to establish the Diversified Cooperative Training, commonly called the DCT.  He worked tirelessly with area businesses to create job training positions for students at Camden County High School. He enjoyed educating, mentoring,and providing high school students with the information and opportunities needed to succeed in life and achieve success in the workplace.   He experienced a lot of changes in education from the 1950s through his retirement in 1995, including: integration, modifications in education techniques and theories,and the rapid expansion of the computer age. Solomon was the driving force and founder of the vocational programs in both the high school and middle schools. He oversaw the development and construction of vocational wings at the Camden County High School in St. Marys and Kingsland, Georgia.

Faith in God was the cornerstone of Solomon’s life. His church supported his faith and his faith made him a better version of himself.   His Christian relationships provided him with lifelong friendships based on love and support. Solomon held positions ranging from Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Director,Chairman and member of the Board of Deacons, Royal Ambassador teacher, and Church Treasurer.  His faith and commitment to following God’s will was ever present, and hecontinually worked to share his faith through his actions and words.

Upon retirement, Solomon and Barbara enjoyed traveling the world.  They visited places from Costa Rica and Hawaii to Switzerland and the northeastern United States.  He and Barbara became teachers for the AARP Senior Driving Courses.  They were active in the local, regional, and state Georgia Retired Educators Association.  They relished both the renewal of old relationships and creation of new friendships through this organization.

Solomon loved being a father, grandfather (Pop Pop), and great grandfather (GG Pop pop). Anyone who met him knew how proud he was of his family and how much they meant to him. His faith embodied his actions from day to day and guided him as he raised his children and led them to walk closer with God.

Solomon was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Ann Deal Sparks; his parents, Joseph and Virginia Sparks; his beloved aunt, Lila Mae Dixon, his beloved uncle, John C. Dixon; his sisters, Blanche Boren and Nell Ferraro; and his nephew, Mark.  Solomon is survived by his daughters Theresa (Meighan) Sparks and Stephanie (Ralph) Marr; his son S. Michael (Elizabeth) Sparks; his granddaughters Mallory (Matthew) Rutledge, Madeline Sparks, Molly Sparks, and Grace Sparks; his great grandson, Ryan Rutledge; his cousin, Rebecca Cribbs, his brother-in-law Jackie (Debbie) Deal, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Solomon was grateful for the care provided by his personal caregivers in his home and the staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to International Missions at Kingsland First Baptist Church, or Hospice of the Golden Isles, Brunswick, Georgia.