Irma Jean Sparks, was affectionately called "Sister Babe" by some family members. Irma was born on January 14, 1931, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Russell Goode and Grace Ross (Pettijohn). Her entire life was spent in Cincinnati, Ohio. Most of her life, she lived in the West End. Later, she moved to Avondale to reside in a senior citizen building until her passing on January 3, 2026, at the age of 94.

Irma was the younger sibling of Janelle "Lolly" McCoy. She attended Trinity School where she was baptized, and East Vocational High School.

On September 15, 1952, Irma wed William Herman Sparks. William had been her neighbor for many years. They became the parents of two children. Irma believed that as a mother, she had to dress her children well, provide nutritious meals served at a formally set dinner table, and raise them in a pristine environment. Each year she looked forward to receiving a Good Housekeeping certificate while living in public housing.

During the years, Irma held a variety of jobs. In her teen years she worked at Chet Restaurant, then at Gidding-Jennings, Kenner Toy, Saturday Knight, Ltd., and Memorial Day Care. Irma volunteered at St. Anthony School as a kitchen aide when her daughter attended the school.

As a devout Catholic, Irma was a member (joined in 2001) of St. Louis Catholic Church in downtown Cincinnati. She attended church regularly with her sister, Janelle. Both had hearing loss, but that didn't stop them from getting on the bus, to attend church service. Prayer was very important to Irma. Daily, around the same time of day, she had prayer time.

Irma was independent, until a couple of months before her passing, she would catch a bus to do her banking and grocery shopping. She was a homebody who enjoyed shopping, cleanliness, and neatness (home and self).

She was preceded in death by her mother, Grace Ross (Pettijohn); her father, Russell Goode; her great aunt, Grace Slater; her sister Janelle McCoy; her husband, William Herman "Football" Sparks.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her children; Diane Sparks and David Sparks (Debra);her grandchildren, Dana Russell Sparks (Atlanta, Georgia), David Sparks Jr., and Ciera Lockett; her great-grandson: Donovyn Russell Driessen (Bluffton, SC),  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved ones.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation,  beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind.

She will be laid to rest at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 3117 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Sparks family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory  is caring for the Sparks family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.