Evelyn Nickels Kilgore Sparks

Evelyn Irene Nickels Kilgore Sparks, age 87 of Tazewell, VA passed away Friday, January 14, 2011 at her home. She was born October 10, 1923 at Dante, VA and was a daughter of the late John Thomas Nickels, Jr. and Mabel Clara Etter Nickels. Mrs. Sparks was of the Episcopalian faith and was a member of the Stras Memorial Church in Tazewell, VA. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekah Lodge in Richlands, VA. She loved her church and enjoyed working with her outdoor flowers. Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Sparks had served for over thirty years as a dedicated teacher in the Tazewell County Public School system and with the Main Street United Methodist Church Pre-School. She was a lady who touched the lives of many and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Taft Kilgore; her second husband, John Leck Sparks; one sister, Beatrice "Bea" Nickels McInturff; three brothers, James Edward “Ted” Nickels, Elmore Clinton “Sam” Nickels and Jack Nickels. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Those left to cherish her memories include one daughter, Christine Kilgore Keene of Cedar Bluff, VA; three sons, Charles Nickels Kilgore of Pounding Mill, VA, Thomas Hugh Kilgore and wife, Trudy Altizer Kilgore of Richlands, VA and Lanny Sparks, Sr. and wife, Nancy Mustard Sparks of Claytor Lake, VA; eight grandchildren, James Gregory Keene and wife, Mary Krippendorf Keene of Roanoke, VA, Granville Scott Keene of Durham, NC, Cara Elisabeth Keene Smith and husband, Steve, Jessica Kilgore Stone and husband, Greg, and Charles Nickels “Nick” Kilgore, II all of Raleigh, NC, Laura Kilgore Mosteller and husband, Jon of Hickory, NC, Blenna Sparks Patterson and husband, Mark of Radford, VA and Lanny “Chip” Sparks, Jr. and wife, Marywood of Abingdon, VA; ten loving great-grandchildren, Faith Nicole Smith, Alex Levi Smith, Kyle Joseph Stone, Ryan Gregory Stone, Madeline Kate Mosteller, Isaac Thomas Mosteller, Ryan Patterson, Leah Patterson, Monroe Sparks, and Jenna Sparks; special friends, Nannie White and Oakie and Phyllis O’Quinn all of Tazewell, VA; several nieces, nephews, other loving family members and many friends. Funeral services for Evelyn Irene Nickels Kilgore Sparks will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 17, 2011 at the Stras Memorial Church in Tazewell, VA with the Very Reverend Russ Hatfield officiating, assisted by the Reverend Emily Edmondson. Entombment will follow at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum in Richlands, VA. Mrs. Spark’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Church after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 17, 2011. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to the Stras Memorial Church: PO Box 342, Tazewell, VA 24651.