Ethel Lee Hill Sparks

December 10, 1925 - April 16, 2022

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Woodlawn Memorial Park

1 Pine Knoll Dr.

Greenville, SC 29609

Thursday 4/21, 11:00 am

A Celebration of Life drop-in will take place at the Cascades Retirement Community in the Pub on Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Ethel Lee Hill Sparks, 96, wife of the late Raymond Wesley Sparks, Jr, died on April 16, 2022 in Greenville, SC.

Born on December 10, 1925 in Greensboro, NC, she was the daughter of Lee and Ethel Hill. Ethel Lee grew up in Atlanta, GA, graduated from Washington Seminary, and, with her family, moved to Greenville while she was a student at the University of Georgia. At UGA, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi and the Thalian Blackfriars.

For decades, Ethel Lee was an active participant on stage in several Greenville Theatre and Center Stage productions as well as modeled for the Millie Lewis agency. She was recognized in the October 2013 issue of Talk magazine as one of the 25 Most Beautiful Women in the Upstate. In 1970 she was awarded a Greenville Theatre Oscar for her supporting role in the production of Harvey.

For many years, she served her community as a volunteer and board member of the Greenville Red Cross and, with her late husband, volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

Ethel Lee and Wesley were members of the Vardry Thompson Fellowship Sunday School Class of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, where they were married on September 18, 1948.

Surviving Ethel Lee are her sons Raymond Wesley Sparks III (Cindy) of Columbia, SC and Donald Lee Sparks (Katherine Saenger) of Charleston, SC; her grandchildren Sally Sparks and Laker Sparks (Melissa) of California, Rachel Wynia (Blake) and Claire Steffens (Stephen) of Greenville, SC, and 4 great-grandchildren: Wesley (California), Clark, Ford, and Liesl (South Carolina).

Ethel Lee’s graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2022. All are welcome. A Celebration of Life drop-in will take place at Cascades Retirement Community in the Pub on Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Greenville Theatre, www.greenvilletheatre.org/donate or Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, www.buncombestreetumc.org/get-involved/giving/.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Cascades staff, Interim Hospice nurses, therapists, and the many Live Long Well Care sitters for their wonderful care of Ethel Lee.

Friends are encouraged to leave condolence messages for the family by clicking on the button labeled “Leave A Message, Share A Memory” below.

Woodlawn Memorial Park

1 Pine Knoll Dr.

Greenville, SC 29609

Map

Thursday 4/21, 11:00 am

A Celebration of Life drop-in will take place at the Cascades Retirement Community in the Pub on Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Ethel Lee Hill Sparks, 96, wife of the late Raymond Wesley Sparks, Jr, died on April 16, 2022 in Greenville, SC. Born on December 10, 1925 in Greensboro, NC, she was the daughter of Lee and Ethel Hill. Ethel Lee grew up in Atlanta, GA, graduated from Washington Seminary, and, with her family, moved toContinue Reading

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Prayers for Ethel Lee's family. I had the privilege to work with Ethel Lee in fashion shows many times over the years. She was a classy lady, soft spoken, kind and compassionate and complimentary each time we were together. She was a beautiful lady, inside and out, very special.

I am the nephew of the most wonderful aunt and uncle a young man could have. Growing up, I had the opportunity to spend time in Greenville on family trips from North Carolina and Georgia at that time. My young memories are from spending the days there on visits between two grandparent's homes and Aunt Ethel Lee and Uncle Wesley's house. I can remember on a cold, sunny morning one Christmas walking up to the porch of the Augusta Ct. house. A layer of snow blanketing the landscape. I stood there, excited with anticipation of the Christmas morning visit. The door opened and I heard the oh so familiar welcome - "well hello there, come on in" she said with a warm smile and heartfelt warmth. She had poise and grace to bestow on anyone in any situation, good or difficult. The impressions she made gave me insight in care and relationships to follow in my own life. I have more than memories to hold onto. I am blessed by her life.

In memory of Ethel Lee Hill Sparks, Bart Hill lit a candle

What a beautiful, kind woman and a loyal, loving wife and friend! She will be missed. It was our privilege to know Ethel Lee. May her memory be eternal.

Our entire family has always loved “ Bug” - a lovely, gracious and elegant southern lady! This photo is from nearly 35 yrs. ago of her holding our son, Philip at cousin Rachel’s birthday party. There were many more parties and family celebrations and gatherings that brought our families together. What a wonderful “other mother” ( in law) Bug has always been to my twin sister, Cindy! We know that she will be greatly missed. We love you all and hold you close in our thoughts and our prayers! She lives through you. Easter blessings. Pam/Alex
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.