Phoebe “Betty” Sparks
Phoebe “Betty” Sparks, wife of the Rev. Hayden L. Sparks, died Oct. 28, 2017. A Memorial Service was held at Fredericktowne Baptist Church in Walkersville Nov. 4.
Betty Brubaker Sparks was born Jan 3, 1931, in Altoona, Pa., to the late Joseph and Catherine “Dolly” Brubaker. She was a graduate of Altoona High School and the Philadelphia Bible Institute (now Carin University) where she and Hayden Sparks met. They married in 1953 and had four children.
She was supportive of her husband’s ministry through seminary and through the many churches he served, as choir director, teacher and hostess. The churches included: Prospect-Marvin, 1956-1958; Montgomery in Damascus, 1958-1963; Poolesville, 1963-1977; St. Matthews UMC in Hagerstown, 1977-1978, then the charge St. Matthews Cearfoss-Mt. Zion, for a year. He then was appointed to St. Matthews-Mt. Zion Charge, 1979-1985, and St. Matthews until 1989. His last appointment was to the Wolfsville Charge from 1989 until he retired in 1996.
Betty Sparks, with her daughter Sharon Trent, started the Four Seasons Florist in Smithburg and operated it for 8 ½ years. It is still in operation today.
Her children always believed she was an angel in disguise and called her “Queenie.” She taught Good News Clubs for children as a representative for Child Evangelism Fellowship.
A son, Hayden “Randy” Sparks Jr., died Feb. 17, 2016.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, daughters Susan Garvin of Winston Salem, N.C., Sharon Anne Trent of Frederick, and Laurie Robinette of Bloxam, Va., and their husbands; 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of MD, Inc., P.O. Box 2715, Hagerstown, MD 21741.