Eleanor “Ellie” McDuffie Brunson Sparks departed this life peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. She leaves behind her loving family and a host of friends.

She was born in Kinston, Ala. on July 12, 1927 to John Franklin Brunson, Jr., and the former Leola Estelle Johnson. She was one of four sisters and took great pride in her hometown and family home “The Hill” in Elba, Ala. She was a graduate of Elba High School and Judson College. After college, she taught school in Moultrie, Ga. for several years. She worked in Syracuse, N.Y. for a year before returning to the south where she met and married Wicky Sparks of Tupelo in 1955. As a Tupelo resident, she was active in the Tupelo community, spending her time raising her family and listening to her husband’s music, the Wick Spark’s Band. Mrs. Sparks loved music and was a  founding member of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, serving as secretary for many years. She worked at the First Citizens National Bank and owned and operated “Ellie’s Place,” a picture frame shop in Tupelo. She was a member of the Tupelo Music Club, the church choir and a long time member of First United Methodist Church.

Ellie Sparks is survived by her two sons, Owen Sparks (Dr. Michelle Baragona) of Tupelo and William David Sparks (Chris) of Oxford; grandchildren, William Matthew Sparks and Annalise Sparks; sister, Catherine Luening of New York, N.Y.; nieces and nephews, John Day, Peter Day, Sally Sparks and Eleanor Bullock. Ellie Sparks will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. “Wick” Sparks and sisters, Judith Brunson Bullock and Eugenia Brunson Day.

The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. prior to a memorial service at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. Reverends Fred Britton and Warren Black will officiate. Burial will be at Lee Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Owen Sparks, David Sparks, John Day and Matthew Sparks.

Memorials may be made to the Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.