- Collection:
- Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection
- Title:
- Celebration of Life for Mamie Wilmotine Few Sparks, Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 11:00 A.M., Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30331, Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor, Officiating
- Contributor to Resource:
- African-American Historical and Genealogical Society (Washington, D.C.). Metro Atlanta Chapter
Wesley Chapel Genealogy Group - Date of Original:
- 2014-10-15
- Subject:
- African American women--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Funeral customs and rites--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Funeral rites and ceremonies--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Funeral service--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Mourning customs--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta--Genealogy - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- church records
programs (documents)
records (documents) - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Funeral program for Mamie Wilmotine Few Sparks. Birth date: August 26, 1949. Death date: January 30, 2011. Funeral date: February 4, 2011. Church: County Line United Methodist Church (Ellenwood, Ga.). The Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection is a project of the Digital Library of Georgia in association with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History as part of Georgia HomePLACE. The project is supported with federal LSTA funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:aarl_afpc_sparksmamiewilmotinefew20141015
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:aarl_afpc_sparksmamiewilmotinefew20141015
- Language:
- eng
- Extent:
- 1 page
- Holding Institution:
- Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
- Rights:
-
Cefe6ration cfLife
for Mamie Wi{motine Pew Syarks
Wednesday, Octo6er 15, 2014
~ 11:00 ~.1vt. ~
~en 1-fi(('United1vtethodist Church 2099 ~air6urn 'Road ~t(anta, eor3ia 30331
'Reverend ~yron !E. rThomas, Senior Pastor
qfficiating
06ituary
Mamie Wilmotine Few Sparks, daughter of the late William Few and the late Mamie Few Haygood was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 8, 1932. On Saturday, October 11, she heard the calm voice of her heavenly Father saying take your rest and come with me. Tene, as she was affectionately called, was the tenth of twelve children. She was the great-granddaughter of the late Bishop William Henry Heard of the African American Episcopal Church, who served as the United States Minister to Liberia, West Africa.
Wilmotine attended the historic New Hope Elementary School in Buckhead and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She was a proud 1953 graduate of Spelman College. While attending Spelman College, Tene was crowned Sweetheart of the Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and was a member of the Big Six (6), a distinguished group of ladies with similar values. Following in the Spelman tradition, you could always count on her wearing her white gloves, pearls, and carrying a handbag. Always a lover of knowledge, she pursued graduate studies at Atlanta University and was involved in many educational seminars and workshop experiences.
Tene began her teaching career in the Atlanta Public School System at Lena Jean Campbell Elementary School in 1953. Her teaching career was unique in that she remained at one school for her entire career . Not only did she make an impact on her students, fellow co-workers, and administrators, but also on many of her nieces and nephews who were inspired to enter the field of education. Being business savvy, she along with Carol Clarke Wesley and the late Sylvia Jones started Elegance and Details/ a wedding planning service, which was responsible for many blissful weddings among numerous prominent Atlanta families.
While visiting friends in New Orleans, she met the love of her life Ted Ringo Sparks, Sr. After a long courtship, they were married on June 15, 1957, and this marriage of 57 years was a true testimony to Proverbs 18:22, "He who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord". To this union was born one son Ted Ringo Sparks, Jr. who was her pride and joy. Another special event was the birth of her precious granddaughter, Cassidy Lynn.
As a humanitarian, Wilmotine was involved in several social and civic organizations. In 1965, she became a member of Club Aucourant, a social/civic organization. She was also a member of Grady Homes Girls Club Guild, Club Couterie, and the Carrousels. She was a member of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
At an early age, she joined the family church, New Hope A.M .E. in Buckhead . In later years, Tene and Ted became active members of Ben Hill United Methodist Church. Ted and Tene were one of the original members of the Couples in Christ Sunday School Class . Tene served faithfully at Ben Hill until her health began to fail.
Wilmotine was preceded in death by brothers, William Few, John Few, Joseph Few, Milton Few, and Henry Few; sisters, Bernice Few Johnson, Rozlyn Few, Cornelia Few Glover, and Helen Few. She is survived by her husband, Ted R. Sparks, Sr.; son, Ted R. Sparks, Jr. (Marie); granddaughter, Cassidy L. Sparks; brother, Moses Few; sister, Ann Jenkins; brothers-in-law, Billy Sparks, Jr. (Marion), Floyd Sparks (Denise), Charles Sparks (Carla), Antonio Sparks; sisters-in-law, Joyce Sparks, Gloria Finney, Novita Watkins (Clyde); godsons, Carl 0. Gullette, and Kevin Stephens (Crystal); a special niece, Joiet Wesley; special friends, Hampton Griggs, Carol Clarke Wesley, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
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Order of Service
Prelude.......................................................................................... ......................................."! Shall Wear A Crown" Processional .................................................................................................."All Hail the Power" UMC #154-155 Hymn of Celebration....................................................................~ ........................"How Great Thou Art" UMC #77 Scriptures:
The Old Testament, Psalm 46................................................ ~ .. ev8f nd Paul Easley Retire United Methodist Church
The New Testament, Revelation 21: 1-5............................... .. Reverend John Pearson - Retired Chaplain
The Gospel, John 14: 1-4........................................................... Reverend Lavell Sanders Associate Pastor, Ben Hill United Methodist Church
Prayer of Comfort ............................... ... ... ... ... ... .... ... .......... .. ...... ... .......................... ......... Minister Sam Townsend Ben Hill United Methodist Church
Celebration in Song........................... ."H is Eye is on t he Sparrow" .. . ............ ............................. ....... ..Angela Matthews Reflections:
Church Member and Neighbor.............................................. ..rona S. Walker Friend and Coworke r........................... .................. ...... ............- .Ciaudia Washington Friend...........................................................................................Joh nnie Clark Family.........................................................................................M elanie Few Harrison Granddaughter........... ............................................. .......... . .Cassidy l. Sparks So n's Tribute ... ...........................................................................Ted R. Sparks, Jr. Celebration in Song........................."ln This Very Room" ..................-.........................................................EIJison Harrell Eu logy......................................................... ............................................................. .... Reverend McCallister Hollins
Senior Past or, Ousley United Methodist Church ............................. ........................Spelman Hymn ......................... - ......................................................................... Acknowledgeme nts........................................................................ .............. Carol Clarke Wesley and Jo iet Wesley
Recessional. .. ....... ................... ......... .... ................ ...... .. ......... ... ....... . ....... ............... .."When We All Get to Heavenu
1nterment
West View Cemetery 1680 Westview Drive, So thwest
Atlanta, Georgia 3031U
'AB)'IIt Fellowsh p Hall Ben Hill United M odist Church
'1-{onorary P(ower .Ladies
Club Aucourant, Club Couterie, and The Carrousels Spelman College Class of 1953
P(ower Ladies
Patricia Glover Jwanna Gray Ashley Haney Tiffany Haney Danyelle Jenkins
Joiet Wesley
Jetawn Russell Danyelle Starling Sade' Stanton Shanice Stanton Gina Stephens
Pa((6earers
Zacchaeus David Daniel Glove r Kenneth Harri son
Gregg Russell Andrew Stephens Brian Wynde r, Jr.
?l.cknowfeJ8ements
Our family and friends are priceless gifts from God, for whom we are eternally grateful. We have had dear friends to lean on that made us realize, even more, that we never walk alone. We thank you for your acts of kindness, services rendered, comfort, support and prayers during the illness and passing of our loved one. Gracia Gibson and Annmarie Spellen, may God continue to bless you for your loving care. Special thanks are extended to staff of Emory Midtown Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Signature Healthcare of Buckhead, Belmont Village of Buckhead, Safe Haven at Brookh aven, and Visiting Nurses Hospice of Atlanta. Our love and appreciati on is extended to our Ben Hill United Methodist Church family . May God continuously bless you.
tThe 'Fami{y
Services ~ntrustedto:
F.K. Jones Funeral Home 1205 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Rome, GA 30161
Syecia( ?tyyreciation to:
Murray Brothers Funeral Home 1199 Utoy Drive
Atlanta , GA 30331