Charles Ray Sparks

Charles Ray Sparks, 60, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 13, 2011. Charles was born September 10, 1950 in Stamford, Texas, to Billy Frank Richard and Edna Nell Sparks.

Charles graduated from Aspermont High School in 1969. He moved to Pampa, Texas with his family and joined the United State Air Force. After leaving the military, he moved back to Pampa. Charles met and married Charlotte Taylor in November of 1972. In June 2002, Charles married Marilyn Cook-Griffin.

He worked for City Service Gas Company for a while and then became a truck driver.

Charles Ray gave his life to God, became an Elder at Crowell, Texas and then Sweetwater in 1998 and later at Sims Chapel A. M. E. Church in Stamford from l999-2000. May 2000, Charles Ray found his home as an Elder at Faith Deliverance Community Church in Abilene, Texas.

Elder Sparks leaves to cherish his memory, his wife: Marilyn of the home, two daughters: Teisha D. Marez of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Valana L. Sparks of Rowlett, Texas. One son: Bobby Griffin, III, and wife Lori of Cedar Hills, Texas, his mother: Edna, his father: Billy Frank Richard, step-mother Virginia Baker, mother-in-law, Thelma Johnson. Eight brothers: Ronald D. Baker and wife Gwen, Victor Davis and wife Alfreda, Billy Frank Richard, Jr, and wife Rena, Devon Richard and wife Shannon, Kenneth Richard and wife Nazarene, Ray Williams and wife Ericka, Sammy Laury, and Eric Jones. Five sisters: Kim Kelly and husband Jim, Sylvia Davis, Ramona Chipako-Turner, Tracey Glenn and husband Archie, and Carolyn Applin. Four step-sisters; Sharon Andrew and husband David, Cathy Moon, Joyce Laury, and Renda Johnson and husband Rickie, nine grand children, two great grand children and a host of other relatives.

Funeral services will begin at 12 noon Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Faith Deliverance Community Church in Abilene with Pastor Jerry Jordan officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Abilene under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home of Stamford. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 until 7 p.m.