Jeannie Lee (Wilson) Sparks was born in Eufaula, Alabama on September 30, 1933 and she walked into glory on April 5, 2017. She was the 12th of 13 children born to the late John and Jennie Ann (Erkins) Wilson. Jeannie was affectionately known to family and friend alike as Sally and thus became Aunt Sally and Granny Sparks to several generations of people. According to her niece Kelly, she was "Internationally known." Sally moved with her family to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1937. As a young girl, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Jacob McGee. In her late teens, she converted to Catholicism, which she practiced devotedly and was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church until declining health prevented her from doing so. In 1957, she married the love of her life, Herbert Sparks, who lovingly welcomed her son Samuel with her and to this union 2 children were added to complete their family: André and Le Andrá. Sally had a huge heart and her spirit was one of true hospitality and encouragement. You were never going to leave her house without being fed and you probably had some baked goods and groceries to take when you left. Sally was well-known for her amazing cooking and baking. Being a true master in the kitchen, everything she made was from scratch and she was especially known for her Potato Salad, Sweet Potato Pies, Cookies and Zucchini Bread. During the holiday season, she would begin baking two weeks before Thanksgiving and would bake something everyday until after the New Year came in. She loved being surrounded by her extended family and was instrumental in starting her family's annual family reunion which is celebrating it's 48th year this year. She was the family's historian and could take you back through generations of her family tree. If you wanted to know anything about your lineage, she was the go-to person. She was also the family babysitter, with an unmatched love for children. She was a Foster Mother and was even among the first people to be listed as a County-recommended babysitter in Hamilton County, Ohio. Sally was a devoted parent who was actively involved in her children's schools and extracurricular activities. She was always there to cheer them on. She loved gardening, canning, baking, playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, taking road trips and going to the casino and was the greatest Cincinnati Bengals fan you ever wanted to meet. She always ended a visit to her home with "Call me when you get home." If you didn't, she would be sure to call you to ask why you hadn't. And if you did, she would say "Thank the Good Lord, you made it home safe." Sally was pre-deceased by her parents and 12 siblings, including 8 brothers: Joe Bass, Emmitt Wilson, James Wilson, Frank Wilson, Steve Wilson, Willie Wilson, Ocie Wilson and her beloved twin, John Wilson and 4 sisters: Rosa Lee Ferguson, Serrecie Forte, Marie Harris and her baby sister, Jessie Gordon. She was also preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law Dennis and Dove Sparks; daughter-in-law, Glenda Cordell and three grandchildren: Bryan, Ryan and La Toya Hayes. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory: her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Herbert T. Sparks; three loving children: Samuel (Mary) Wilson of Houston, TX; Dea. André Sparks of Cincinnati and Le Andrá Sparks (Quincy Brown) of Kalamazoo, MI; 10 adoring grandchildren: Gia Wilson and S. Marques (Courtney) Wilson of Houston, TX; Dominique Sparks (Devonte Canady); Jenanne Sparks; Diondre Hill (Tommy Wagoner, Jr.); Andre Sparks and Terrell Sparks of Cincinnati, OH; Paul Hill III (Kayla Orso) of Columbus, OH and Kirsten Hill (DeShawn O'Large) and Taja Watkins of Kalamazoo, MI; 7 cherished Great Grandchildren: Tommy Wagoner, III (Trey); Aliyah Hill; Shontel Wagoner; Treasure Wagoner; DeShawn O'Large and Trevor Wagoner; niece Cynthia DeVaughn-Smith, whom she helped to raise and 4 Sisters-in-law: Helen Wilson of Palm Bay, FL and Stella Wilson, Catherine Wilson and Betty J. Wilson all of Cincinnati, OH. Additionally, she leaves her best friend of 78 years (since Kindergarten) Gloria (Henry) Appling; her card partner; Ruby J. Cunningham and family members who assisted with her day-to-day care: Ernestine Lowery; Terry Powell; James Wilson, Gaston Forte and Emmitt Cunningham. And nieces who were her dear friends: Eula Wilson and Thomasina Forte. Sally had an enormous extended family, naturally and by association, as she never met a stranger. So many that it is not possible to mention you all, but know that she loved each one of you dearly. Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on Monday, April 17, 2017, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 745 Ezzard Charles Drive, Cincinnati (45203). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. . Interment will follow at Spring Grove. To share a memory of Jeannie or leave a special message for the Sparks family, please click the Share Button below. Walker Funeral Home of Cincinnati is serving the Sparks family.

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