Audrey Belle Henry Sparks

Mrs. Audrey Belle Henry Sparks passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at NHC Health Care Center in Dickson, TN. Born in McEwen, TN on November 26, 1921, to Bert Harrison Henry and Bessie Pickard Henry. Preceded in death by her parents and siblings; W. H. Henry, Sybil Henry Holland, and Dorothy Henry Petty, loving husband; Edwin Claude Sparks, and son; Edwin Sparks, Jr. She is survived by son; John Danny Sparks (Anna), McKinney, TX, 5 grandsons; Edwin Sparks, III (Mary Anne), Kennett Square, PA, Corey Sparks (Johnelle), Andy Sparks, Rusty Sparks (Denise), and David Sparks, all of Texas, 9 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great Grandchild, loving nieces and nephews; Joye Holland Street, Burns, TN, Larry Petty, Charlotte, TN, Scherry Petty Vetter, Leona Petty Deavers, Phillip Petty, all of McEwen, TN, Wanda Holland Prince, Lenoir, NC, Steve Holland, Nashville, TN, Debbie Henry, Dickson, TN, and Margaret Ann Henry Smith, San Antonio, TX., and special friend; Jeff Fonseca of Charlotte, TN. Audrey and Edwin were married August 8, 1942 in San Bernardino, CA where he was in military training nearby. Following Edwin's tour of duty with the U.S. Army Air Corps, they made their home in McEwen, TN, Lufkin, TX, Mt. Pleasant, TN, Muscle Shoals, AL and finally settling in Charlotte, TN in 1973 where Edwin continued his work in bank management. Following graduation from McEwen High School, where she loved playing basketball, she attended Draughon's College in Nashville. She worked as an Investigator during World War II. She was the first female Rural Mail Carrier in Charlotte, TN, where she worked from 1974 until 1989. Audrey and Edwin had a love of flowers and grew prize winning roses for many years. She was President of the McEwen Home Demonstration Club in 1949. Having learned tailoring and taking many sewing classes which resulted in sewing professionally, while she was living in Alabama. Her sewing skills were upped to include lingerie making and rug making, upholstery and drapery making plus several other skills in Humphreys, Maury, Colbert, and Dickson County. Hatmaking in Maury County was added to her skills which resulted in her being a teacher after several years of lessons. This fun group of ladies' club was called "The Merry Milliners." Since moving to Charlotte, TN, she became interested in growing African Violets and related house plants and their culture. She attended conventions in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Nashville, and French Lick, IN, which was the best one of all! Audrey loved new experiences and travel, visiting Hawaii, Canada, Australia, Alaska, England and Korea. She especially enjoyed her trip to Scotland, land of her ancestors. LUFF-BOWEN FUNERAL HOME 9729 Hwy. 70 East McEwen, TN 37101 Telephone 931-582-6271 Obituary Line 931-296-3500