Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Grover Cleveland Sparks
Black Mountain
Grover Cleveland Sparks, 80, of Black Mountain, passed away October 29, 2016 at the NC State Veterans Home.
He was a son of the late, Foley Sparks, Sr. and Margaret Sparks. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Annie Sparks, Wanda Fender and Polly Fender; and brothers, Lee Roy, Robert, Dennis and Ronnie Sparks.
Grover was a 1955 graduate of Owen High School. He proudly served in the United States Army and was stationed in the DMZ in Korea. He retired from Ethan Allen Furniture Company.
He is survived by a sister, Shirley Wilson; two brothers, Paul and Foley Sparks; and many nieces and nephews.
Grover was a quiet and reserved man who was more comfortable behind the scenes than being the center of attention. He loved children and always had candy or a moon pie to offer them. He was a big fan of college basketball and would argue at the drop of a hat over his favorite teams. Grover was also a race fan who pulled for Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Jr. His true lifelong passion was cars, especially muscle cars, and his favorite was his white 1970 Dodge Charger. He kept the Dodge in immaculate condition and often showed it in local car shows and the Black Mountain Christmas Parade.
Grover was a generous man and a hard worker. He planted a huge garden every year and always shared what he grew. We were blessed to have him in our lives and will greatly miss him, but we rejoice in the fact that he is healthy again and with family who were waiting for his arrival in Heaven. We will see you again Grover, and we love you!
A Celebration of Grover’s Life will be Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
William “Bill” C. Jackson
Black Mountain
William “Bill” C. Jackson, 77, of Black Mountain, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016.
Bill loved his wife, both families, God and his Labradors. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Etherlene Jackson; and an infant sister.
Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Dutcher Jackson; children, Randy Jackson (Lisa), Patrick Jackson (Cathy), Donna Hale (Patrick), and Cindy Ledford; 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814 or Wounded Warriors Project, 1990 Fordham Drive, Suite 100, Fayetteville, NC 28304.
His Journey’s Just Begun: Don’t think of him as gone away – his journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets – this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him as living in the hearts of those he loved…for nothing loved is ever lost – and he was loved so much.
Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.