Jessie E. Sparks ….

Jessie E. Sparks 1923-2022

Jessie E. Sparks, 98, passed peacefully in her sleep the morning of Feb. 15. Jessie was born on July 15, 1923, in the town of Bryantsville, Kentucky. She was the daughter of the late Harry Park and Elizabeth Swope Edwards. She was the youngest of four children and had special memories of her parents after her siblings were all grown.

Mrs. Sparks attended Western Kentucky University, where she studied accounting. She met love of her life, Marvin L. Sparks, there while both were attending school together. They were married Jan. 4, 1945, and moved to Long Beach after WWII. She was able to practice accounting in both Dayton, Ohio, and Long Beach before she and Dr. Sparks welcomed two children into their lives. Dr. and Mrs. Sparks spent 66 wonderful years together before he passed in 2011.

Mrs. Sparks attended the Seal Beach Leisure World Baptist Church, where she had a lot of friends. She was a dedicated Christian. She was also a devoted Rams and Lakers fan, and lived long enough to enjoy watching the Rams win the Super Bowl this year.

Mrs. Sparks is survived by her daughter, Janice Konkler (Jon) of Anchorage, Alaska; son, Dr. David L. Sparks (Lusheia) of Long Beach; and four grandchildren, Shannon, Stacey and Stephen Konkler and Finnian Sparks.

A graveside service is planned for Friday, July 15, at 9:30 a.m. It would have been Mrs. Sparks’ 99th birthday. The service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial grounds, located at 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach. In lieu of flowers, remembrances are suggested to Leisure World Baptist Church for missionary support at P.O. Box 4057, Seal Beach,

CA, 90740.