Michael Sparks

Michael Sparks affectionately known as “Chocolate,” departed this earthly life unexpectedly on Friday June 18, 2021 at his home in Winston-Salem, N.C.  He was born in Hartsfield, S.C. to the late Samuel Lee Sparks, Jr. and the late Frances Marion Bowman Sparks.

He was educated in the local public schools of Darlington County, S.C. and attended Butler High School where he was the manager of the baseball team and also a JV Football player.  Being the servant and helper of men he was, he was reared in the United Methodist Church as a young boy and served as an acolyte. Upon leaving High School he moved to Winston-Salem, N.C. and began his professional career first with the City of Winston-Salem and subsequently began a 34 year career at Winston Salem State University(W.S.S.U.) where he first began as a Grounds man, a Lead Man, a Grounds Supervisor and ultimately the Building Environmental Services Manager where he oversaw the entire Campus Grounds Crew, the Moving and Hauling Crew and the Sanitation and Recycling Crew.  As a Lead man, Supervisor and Manager, he led by example.  He also worked right alongside his crew or with no crew as he worked many long days and nights in inclement weather conditions.  He also was a mentor and encourager to the many young men he supervised as he would encourage them to keep good work ethics as well as maintain their status on the job to be good role models for their families.  As a term of endearment he was referred to as “Boss man” by his crew.  He was also employed by United Maintenance Corporation & Lyon. He also was a professional yard man and landscaper who maintained many homes and rental properties in the area. If he could help you whether family, friend or foe he would do just that!  He had a heart of gold!

He had an awesome style all his own when it came to dressing in any outfit whether it was for church or just casual!  He was also an avid Dallas Cowboy’s fan (DEM BOYZ)!

 As a young child when in Winston-Salem, N.C., he also attended Macedonia Holiness Church of the Apostolic Faith where his Maternal Grandmother Pensacola Bowman was a Mother.  As a young adult, he joined the St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Joseph R. Samuels and now the Dr. James R. Cook where he attended faithfully. He loved all types of music and he loved worshipping and praising God!

He was preceded in death by his father Samuel Lee Sparks Jr., his Mother Frances Marion Bowman Sparks and two brothers Larry and Terry Sparks.

He leaves to cherish precious and loving memories, a loyal and devoted fiancé whom he referred to as “My baby,” Varia (Val) A. Haynie, Winston-Salem, N.C,; two Sisters, Hazel Bowman and Lorraine (Henry) Sparks Shaw; Five brothers: Rev. Samuel Lee (Vondra) Sparks, III, Gable, S.C.; Morris (Miranda) Sparks, Sumpter, S.C., Norris (Maxine) Sparks, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Minister Frederick Sparks, and Ronnie (Emma Jean) Sparks, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Aunts, Earline Yates and Deborah Hines-Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Extended Family:  Willetta H. Cunningham, Lisa and Linda Murrell, and Hilda Rector, Winston-Salem, N.C.: the Haynie, Flake and Horne families; God children: Michael Bowman (his namesake), Layla Murrell, and Emoni Logan, Winston-Salem, N.C., a host of nieces, nephews other relatives, W.S.S.U. family and many friends.

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