Mary Sparks

Mrs. Mary Martha Gibson Sparks, age 61 of Bandy, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 4, 2005 following a brief battle with cancer. She was born May 19, 1944 in the Thompson Valley section of Tazewell County to Ellis Franklin Gibson and Nannie Fox Gibson. In 1961, Mary graduated from Tazewell High School. She continued her education to include her LPN in 1963 and her RN in 1979 from Southwest Virginia Community College. She retired in 1996 from Clinch Valley Medical Center after 33 years of service filling various positions including staff nurse for multiple departments, nursing supervisor and nurse manager. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, sister, mommaw and most importantly a devoted child of God. She was an active member of the Bandy Freewill Baptist Church, where she was also treasurer of the church?s Willing Workers. Those fortunate enough to know her will always remember her as a kind, unselfish, generous, intelligent, loving woman. She will forever be missed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, George Gibson. Survivors are: Husband of 39 years: Charles D. Sparks 3 Daughters: Melinda Beavers and fiancÚ, Keith St. John of Bandy, Virginia LaReda Compton and husband, Todd of Richlands, Virginia Martha Strouth and husband, Brad of Hampstead, North Carolina 4 Sisters: Joanna Brown and husband, Bill of Swords Creek, Virginia Jane Conn of Tazewell, Virginia Juanita Helias of Mt. Morris, Michigan Betty Smith of Richmond, Virginia 5 Brothers: Kenneth Gibson of Roanoke, Virginia Bill Gibson of Roanoke, Virginia Paul Gibson and wife, Jeanette of Charlotte, North Carolina Shad Gibson and wife, Delores of Charlotte, North Carolina Phillip Gibson and wife, Debbie of Ocala, Florida 4 cherished grandchildren: Kelle Beavers, Brent Beavers, Jacob Compton and Raegan Strouth Mother-In-Law: Nell K. Sparks of Corunna, Michigan Several Nieces and Nephews and special friends whom she dearly loved, Francis Deskins, Lillian Kinder, Deanis Altizer and Bob Owens also survive. Funeral Services for Mrs. Mary Martha Gibson Sparks will be conducted, Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with the Rev. Sam Altizer and the Rev. Marvin Nipper officiating. Interment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Todd Compton, Brad Strouth, Keith St. John, William Brown, Ray Brown and Bob Owens. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Richard Bentley, Donnie Beavers, Boyd Sparks, Tommy Bandy and the Men of the Bandy Freewill Baptist Church. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia, Wednesday evening from 6-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bandy Freewill Baptist Church or to the Willing Workers at the Church in Bandy, Virginia.

Mary Sparks

May 19, 1944 - July 4, 2005