Obituary of Buster Sparks

Buster Sparks Of Mallory, WV Buster Sparks, 91, of Mallory, went to his heavenly home Saturday, August 14, 2010, from Logan Regional Medical Center, after a short illness. He was born August 1, 1919, at Mallory, a son of the late Waits and Violente Walls Sparks. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Johnson Sparks; one son, Charles Fred Sparks; one sister, Trubi Clark; and seven brothers, Norville, Ernest, Hillie, Bill, Herman, Jack, and Donald Sparks. Buster was a coal miner formerly employed with Island Creek Coal Company for 40 years. He was a member of the UMWA District 17 and was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Africa and Italy. Buster was a member of the Big Spring Missionary Baptist Church for over sixty years, where he had served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Sunday School Superintendent. He enjoyed fishing and being Papaw Bus to all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those left to cherish his memory are three daughters, Bernie Sims of Man, Marilyn Carico of Beckley, and Nancy (Michael) Simpson of Mooresville, NC; four grandchildren, Traci (Tad) Tomblin of Charleston, Amy (Jay) Thompson of Mooresville, NC, Kristi (Brian) Helmer of Beckley, and Buster Carico of Morgantown; five great-grandchildren, Dylan and Trevor Thompson, Nikolas and Natali Tomblin, and Kaiden Helmer; many nieces and nephews; along with a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man with Rev. Clyde Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pall bearers will be Jay Thompson, Tad Tomblin, Brian Helmer, Buster Carico, Michael Simpson, and Eddie Paynter. Honorary pall bearers will be Robert Lusk, Larry Adams, and Charlie Santrock. Online condolences may be made at krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man is in charge of the arrangements.