Dateline: Burnsville, NC

Mary Lee Sparks, age 78, of Gurley Rd, Burnsville, NC, went home to be with the Lord December 31, 2019. She was a daughter of the late John Cook Sr. and Frances Rhew Cook. She was a member of Big Crabtree Baptist Church.

Survivors include: three daughters; Phyllis Rathburn (Glenn), Rhonda Hensley, and Kathleen Sparks, all of Burnsville, NC, two brothers; Tommy Cook, of Hillsboro, NC, and David Dore, of Texas, two grandchildren; Joshua Hensley (Rebecca), and Will Hensley (Jessica), two great grandchildren; Carson Hensley, and Autumn Brooke Hensley, her campground family, and her best friend; Lois Duncan.

She was preceded in death in addition to her parents by: her husband; Phillips Joe Sparks, two sisters; Linda Evans, and Bonnie Cook, a brother; John Cook Jr., and an infant daughter.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 3:00PM in Big Crabtree Baptist Church with Mike Rathbone and Dean Honeycutt officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to: Hospice and Palliative Care of The Blue Ridge, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.

Henline - Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Sparks Family.