Marie Buchanan Sparks, age 96, of the Ledger community, Bakersville, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 4, 2017 in the Mitchell House, Spruce Pine, NC. She was the daughter of the late Willard and Vaultie Wilson Buchanan and the wife of the late Harry Sparks. She was also preceded in death by sisters: Lela Duncan and Melba Rhyne and brothers: Jim, Joe, and Willard Buchanan Jr. Marie was a charter member of the Ledger Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School of all ages from the time she was 14 years old. She loved to read her bible and she was an avid walker to age 89.

Survivors include her daughter, Lisa "Tiny" Young and husband Windle of Bakersville; son, Don Sparks and wife Marge of Menifee, CA; sisters: Joyce Buchanan of Spruce Pine and Phyllis Jean Sirovy of Texas; brother, Jack Buchanan of Christiansburg, VA; grandchildren: Alan Young and wife Monica of Candler, NC, Stan Young and wife Becky of Bakersville, Sonya Erickson of Wash, UT and Tiffany Loveridge and husband Jeff of Sacramento, CA; 7 great grandchildren including one special great granddaughter, Nicole Young.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 3:00 pm in the Ledger Baptist Church with Rev. Don Stafford officiating. The family will receive friends after the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge , 236 Hospital Drive , Spruce Pine , NC 28777 .