Final Salute

Ken Sparks, 81, of the Arbuckle community, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at The Greens in Spruce Pine, NC. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Garlin and Nell Young Sparks. A United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he proudly served his country as a Seabee. Ken enjoyed the simple things in life: mowing his lawn, keeping his vehicles clean, watching the deer and turkeys in his yard, and taking fishing trips with his longtime friend, Jim Presnell. An avid walker, he logged over one thousand miles a year in the years following his retirement. He was a member of Youngs Chapel Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shelba Webb Sparks; and a sister, Jean Parrish.

Left to cherish his memory are his sisters-in-law, Amelia Ledford and Gudrun Webb; nieces: Sherry Kelly, Connie Dodd, Debby Parish, Patti Dodgen, Mable Robison and Stephanie Medford; nephews: Ricky Taylor, Mike Webb, Kenny Webb and Scott Fortner; great-nieces and nephews: Russ, Austin, Peighton, Katie and Samantha; great-great-nephews: Forrest and Johnny; cousins: Kay Sparks, Mark Young, Lesia Harris, Carol McMahan and Bobby Young; and special neighbor, Terry McMahan.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the service for visitation. Rev. Holt Whitson will be officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Liberty Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Spruce Pine, NC. Military Honors will be conducted by the Sgt. E.L. Randolph Chapter #57 D.A.V. The pallbearers will be as follows: Russ Robison, Austin Robison, Charlie Medford, John Dale, Jacob Tipton, Mark Young, Terry McMahan and Bobby Young.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of the Blue Ridge and Ciji Dellinger for their excellent care of Ken.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Blue Ridge at 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.

Yancey Funeral Services is respectfully serving the Sparks family. Online condolences may be made at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.