Joan Sparks

Joan (Brown) Sparks, 71, of Nancy, KY tragically left this life on December 24th, 2017. Joan was born January 16th, 1946 in Hardburly, Perry County, KY, to Mildred and Lawson Brown. Five years after her birth, she was gifted with a younger sister, Janet, who throughout life, their relationship continued to grow and blossom. Joan graduated from Whitesburg High School in 1963. After graduation, she completed cosmetology training in Lexington, KY. In 1964, she pledged her life and love to Ronnie Sparks and to that union was born two children she adored, Randy and Cynthia Sparks.
To know Joan was to love Joan.
For over 20 years, Joan operated Jett's Grocery in Jabez, KY (a small community store/restaurant) with her husband and parents. Joan and Ronnie worked tirelessly to serve the community, they were among the founding members of the Faubush Tri-Co Volunteer Fire Department. Over the many years as an active member, one of her favorite memories was being a member of the all-female team, competing in the Firefighter Olympics. After the passing of her husband in 1987, Joan started her endeavor as a professional student and completed her Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA).
Her training as a PTA turned into a passion for helping others. She was devoted to and loved by her patients, even though her nickname was "Sergeant". Joan cared for patients in various physical therapy settings, but her favorite was home health care. Here, she was able to channel her creativeness into finding new ways to motivate her patients; to regain their strength and passion for movement. Along with her passion for helping others, Joan had a desire to learn, this naturally extended into her becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT). She found her true calling in helping others alleviate their pain through her healing touch. Between cosmetology, physical therapy, and massage therapy, she touched countless lives. Joan's strong work ethic and devotion, drove her to continue her work as a PTA for Lifeline Home Health Care and LMT for her own business Serenity Spa, up until the time of her passing. One could not talk with Joan without knowing she loved what she did.
When not caring for others, Joan's other interests included: traveling, handy crafts, crocheting, outdoors and working outside gardening and landscaping. Joan lived on the road, her adventures took her to the 4 corners of the US, driving the historic Route 66, Pacific Coast Highway, and her favorite the ALCAN (Alaska-Canadian) Highway. Joan's most recent travel goal was to see how many New England covered bridges and lighthouses as she could see in 10 days, by the end of the trip Joan would laugh and say she 'She loved it, but never wanted to see another covered bridge.' Joan dabbled in various handy crafts over the years, woodworking, furniture building, fiber arts, and leatherwork, she loved crocheting and carried it with her on her travels. Every August, Joan and family would venture into the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina for their annual huckleberry picking. But Joan's outdoor love was working around the house on her outside garden and landscaping. She also loved to stop and gather unique rocks during her road trips. Joan was also a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church and the local chapter, Fidelis #545 Order of the Eastern Star.
Joan's family was very important to her.
Joan is survived by daughter, Cynthia; mother, Mildred Brown, of Nancy, KY, sister, Janet Madden (Henry) of Isom, KY; niece, Wendy Rutherford (Gary) of Pound, VA; niece, Amanda Madden-Dyal (Jason) of Lexington, KY; friend, Mike Farmer, of Ohio; and a host of other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie Sparks; son, Randy Sparks; and father, Lawson Brown.
Please come and share your love and stories of Joan with her family and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 28, 2017, after 4:00 p.m., in Nancy Funeral Home Chapel. An Eastern Star funeral will be conducted by the Fidelis #545 Order of the Eastern Star on Thursday evening, at 7:30 p.m., in the funeral home chapel.
Funeral Services will be Friday, December 29, 2017, at 12:00 noon, in Nancy Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Gilbert Robinson officiating. Services will continue at Lakeside Memorial Gardens. Immediately following services, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Nancy Fire Department.
Donations may be made to the Faubush Tri-County Fire Department Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 379, Nancy, KY 42544.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the online register book at www.somersetundertaking.com