Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Marreta White Sparks was welcomed by her Savior into eternal life on June 11, 2019. She battled a courageous fight with Alzheimer’s Disease for the past eight years. She is now free from her sickness and disease and no longer carries the burdens of this mortal life.
A native of Magee Mississippi, she was born January 2, 1933, to Marvin and Junia Yelverton White. She attended Belhaven College and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics. She was a member of Tri-Sigma Sorority. She began teaching Home Economics in the Simpson County School District.
She married Thomas W. Sparks on February 12, 1956, and joined him in Fort Polk, Louisiana as he served in the United States Army. Tom and Marreta returned to Magee as she continued teaching at the Preventorium, Mississippi State Sanatorium, which was a preventive residential care for children of parents with Tuberculosis. Marreta continued her education at USM and later began teaching Math which was her passion to many students in the Simpson County School District. She loved her students and carried a piece of them in her heart forever.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Magee, MS where she served in many capacities with the Women’s Ministry.
Marreta loved her family with her whole heart. She was beautiful, selfless, giving and a gift to so many. She lived her life with grace, strength and compassion. She was the champion for her family and friends in the face of adversity.
Marreta was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Reverend Albert Patton White
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Thomas W. Sparks; son Barry Sparks (Debbie); daughter Carla Sparks Moss (Bill); grandchildren Brittany Sparks, Walker Sparks (Angela), Amanda Moss and Chad Moss; six great-grandchildren whom she loved so much; Brayden, Leighton, Ella Kate, Caroline, Koltin, and Bailey. She is also survived by her loving caregiver and friend Hertie Griffith.
Visitation will be held Saturday, June 15, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., all at First United Methodist Church, Magee, Mississippi. The Reverend Glenn Howell will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 661, Magee, Mississippi 39111 or The Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi.
Arrangements are entrusted with Tutor Funeral Home of Magee.
