REFORM | Thomas Oneil "Pee Wee" Sparks, age 88, of Reform, died January 18, 2015. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at New Salem Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Hall and Rev. Hershel Owen officiating. Burial will follow in Arbor Springs Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be tonight, Monday, January 19, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral Home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service at the church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Ernest Lavern "Penny" Sparks; son, Larry O. Sparks; and granddaughter, Ashley Sparks.
Survivors include her daughter, Betty Margaret Grier and husband, Ed, of Birmingham, Ala.; son, Mike Sparks and wife, Dana, of Reform, Ala.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Pee Wee was born July 9, 1926, in Pickens County, Ala., to the late Thomas Taylor Sparks and Daucie Mae Bishop Sparks. Pee Wee started his entrepreneurial spirit when he served as U.S. Army Quarter Master during World War II., while stationed in Japan. A member of New Salem Baptist Church, Pee Wee loved his church, his family and his friends. He will be remembered by his friends and his family as a unique individual.
Pallbearers will be Terry Fields, Dr. James Fenton, Buzz Miller, Mike Jaynes, David Richardson, and David Abston.
Honorary pallbearers are Lee Turk, and employees of CarQuest of Reform and employees of West Alabama Band & Trust.
The family would like to especially thank Dr. Clint McEntyre and Amedisys Hospice.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to New Salem Baptist Church in Reform, AL 35481.