Mr. Kenneth Earl Sparks: Obituary

Kenneth Earl Sparks, age 84, of Hanahan, SC, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2017 in Walterboro, SC. Born on April 24, 1933 in Hemp, GA, he was the son of the late Jewel Sparks and Bessie Wilson Sparks. He served in the United States Air Force. He later worked as a Structural Engineer for 31 years at the Charleston Air Force Base. In 1987, he received the Wright Brothers Memorial Award for significant contributions to the field of Aviation. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ervin Sparks; and sister, Erma Sparks Schenck.

He is survived by his wife, Jessie Mae Odom Sparks of Hanahan, SC; daughters, Sherry Sparks Helms of Florence, SC, Jenifer Sparks Mehard of Hanahan, SC, and Debra Sparks DePue of Wilmington Island, GA; grandchildren, Rachel Mehard and Trevor Mehard of Charleston, SC, and Glen DePue III of Wilmington Island, GA; brother-in-law, Doug Schenck of Hermann, MO; and sisters-in-law, Ina Sparks Mull of Morganton, GA and Willa Grace Edwards of Monticello, GA.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Eric Davenport officiating. Interment followed in the Hemptown Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Lenard Helms, David Mehard, Glen DePue, and Trevor Mehard. Military honors were provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans’ Victory House at 2461 Sidneys Road, Walterboro, SC 29488. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.