Charles Luther Sparks, born December 31, 1955, in Marion, North Carolina, gained his heavenly wings on August 2, 2025. He passed peacefully at his home in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, wrapped in the arms of his loving family. He was 69 years old.
Charles was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend whose warmth and humor touched the lives of everyone he met. A graduate of Bowman High School and a proud veteran, he served his country as a Sergeant (E-5) in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He served stateside and overseas for 8 years. After his military career, Charles worked as a delivery driver for Coca-Cola in 1984 before embarking on a long tenure at Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) as a CNC lathe operator, where he remained until his retirement in 2001.
Charles had a zest for life that was evident in his many interests and passions. He loved to laugh and tell jokes, finding joy in sharing smiles with those around him. In his retirement, he enjoyed watching his favorite game shows, including “The Price Is Right,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune”; A true adventurer at heart, he cherished traveling with his beloved wife, taking a memorable cross-country trip together in 2018.
An avid sports fan, Charles cheered passionately for the Washington Redskins, Duke Blue Devils, and celebrated NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Above all, he adored his granddaughters and great-granddaughters, finding immense joy in playing with them and being a part of their lives. As a husband and father, he was loving, supportive, and caring, embodying the sentiment that any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a ”Dad”; He also found endless joy in all his beloved “Fur Babies.”
Charles Luther Sparks will be remembered for his laughter, love, and the indelible mark he left on the hearts of those who knew him.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Luther Roy and Lena Mahalia (Reid) Sparks; sisters, Minnie Sue Sparks, Brenda Lou Garland, and Lois Nell Buchanan; brother, James Roger Sparks; mother-in-law, JoAnn Bottomley; and brother-in-law, Mike Duncan.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 40 years, Brenda Bottomley Sparks; son, Randall Meyerhoffer; daughter, LeAnn Allen (Mike); granddaughters: Autumn Sparks and Summer Culverhouse; great-granddaughters: Hailey “Bug” and Skyla Mia; sisters: Pat Masters (Wilburn), Mary Lynn Robinson (Terry), Elizabeth Randolph (Russell), and Donna Duncan; father-in-law, Bobby Bottomley; brothers-in-law: Charles Burgess (Lori) and William Bottomley (Janet); sister-in-law, Sue Sparks; “adopted” children: Timothy Sparks, Misty Murphy, and Heath Nolan; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends who will deeply miss him.
Graveside services will be held at Bailey Cemetery on John Sparks Road in Loafer’s Glory at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 9th, 2025. Rev. Clifford Willis officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, 2025 at Yancey Funeral Services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to assist with final expenses.
The family would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to Hospice of the Blue Ridge, especially Brandon Bragg, Ciji Dellinger and Lisa Gwinn for all the care and support they provided Charles and the family, for over two years.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
