Helen "Opal" Sparks

Helen Opal Sparks, 90, of Sebring, Florida passed away at 1: 15 am. Friday March 31, 2017. Born March 25th, 1927 to Mary Abigail Cathey and Horace David Gazaway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Opal was married to Marion Leland (Sparkie) Sparks for 65 years. They are survived by their four children: Marion Leland Sparks, III (Nilda) , Mary Jane Wilkes ( Mike), Dr. Joseph D. Sparks, (Jeff), Mark Alan Sparks (Lynne) and 2 adopted daughters: Harold Anne Smith and Suzi Mott. During World War II, Opal worked with intake of German Prisoners of War in Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. In Florida, as her children left the nest, she became a licensed real estate agent. In Sebring, she and Sparkie became entrepreneurs and opened Sparkie's Medical Center Pharmacy until their retirement in 1986. She delighted in her family with grand children: Michele, Gabriel, Steven, Michael, Anthony, Casey, Jaimie, Brandon and Zachary, and great grandchildren: Sofia, Michaela, Ty, Troy, Athena, Kendal, Lexie, Annabelle and Rowan. Funeral Mass will take place 10 a.m. Monday, April 3rd at St. Catherine's Church in Sebring, Fl. Burial will take place 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 Florida National Cemetery Bushnell, FL