Howard Sparks

Funeral services for Mr. Howard Sparks, age 85, of Cookeville, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Geren officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 - 8 p.m. and again Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time. Mr. Sparks passed away Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born April 22, 1931 in White County, TN to the late Lester Lee and Mary Lee McCormick Sparks. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and LD Sparks; and sister, Ruby Moss. Mr. Sparks was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Wilhite Baptist Church for over 57 years, and served in several capacities in the church including deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Sparks was a life-long farmer. He also was retired from Cookeville Industries after 28 years of service. He was an avid UT Football and Women's Basketball fan. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Genova Dennis Sparks (whom he married April 16, 1953 in Rossville, GA); son, Terry Sparks of Cookeville; two daughters and son-in-law, Linda Helm of Silver Point, Judy and Keith Schinbeckler of Cookeville; brother and sister-in-law, Owen and Maudeen Sparks; sister, Sylvia Smith, all of Cookeville; eight grandchildren, Sam, Audrey and Matthew Helm, Trent and Tawny Sparks, Tabitha (Daniel) Hammock, Anastasia and Zak Schinbeckler; and five great-grandchildren. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.