R. L. Sparks

Biography

Mr. R. L. Sparks, Sr., 76, of Pansey Street, Walterboro, entered into rest Sunday morning, May 11, 2014, at the Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro.

Funeral services will be conducted 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, May 14, 2014, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. The Reverend Paul Creason officiating. Interment will follow in Glendale Memorial Cemetery 2210 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro.

Born April 11, 1938, a native of Portal, Georgia, he made Walterboro his home for the last forty-four years. He was a son of the late Joe Sparks and the late Dovie Collins Sparks. R. L. was a well-known, hardworking, and highly sought after mechanic in the Walterboro community. For many years, he worked for Kinard's Auto Diesel prior to working under Neil Hudson who became a dear trusted friend and mentor. R. L. owned and operated R. L.'s Garage, a business he operated part time while working at Hudson's Garage and devoted his full time attention to following Mr. Hudson's death. R. L. will be fondly remembered for his love of fishing as well as his dedication to his beloved chickens, roosters, and two ducks.

Surviving are: his wife of fifty-four years, Mrs. Betty Ruth Strickland Sparks; two sons, R. L. "Roy" Sparks, Jr. of Walterboro, and Wilbur Dean Sparks and his wife Crystal of Estill; four daughters, Brenda Sparks Williams and her husband Daniel of Summerville, Tammy Lynn Sparks Driggers and her husband Tony of Walterboro, Betty Ann Sparks Fennell and her husband Timmy of Walterboro, and Mary Sparks Doyle and her husband Chris of Walterboro; a brother, Bobby Joe Sparks of Ridgeland; and three sisters, Bina Duncan, Ethel Cleland, and Nita Cleland all of Ridgeland. There are thirteen grandchildren, Richard, Brandy, Ashley, Jessica, Timmy, Nicholas, Austin, Taylor, Morgan, Shyann, Ryan, Josh, and Heath; four great grandchildren, Isabella, Madison, Malkolm, and Skylar; as well as his beloved dog, "Puppy". He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Sparks.

Family and friends are invited to call from 6 o'clock until 8 o'clock this Tuesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.