Minister Mike Sparks was born in Diboll, TX, on June 7, 1954, to the late Reverend Jesse James Sparks and Lillie Mae Mitchell being the 10 ^th and a twin of 14 children.

In 1995, after a long chase, he captured the heart of his beautiful wife, Kimberly, whom he loved more than life itself. They became a union before God in 2016 which was the happiest day of his life. He was a dedicated and hardworking man in the logging industry for 50 years as a loader operator.

Having a pastor as a father, Brother Sparks was raised in church and continued through his adult life. He made Abundant Love Ministries his church home where for the past 3 years he served as a minister. He was a phenomenal man of many words, hats, and suits, who enjoyed spending time with his family, estate sales, yardwork, working on vehicles, and winding down his day watching the news while enjoying a large bowl of Bluebell's Homemade Vanilla Ice cream.

Minister Mike Sparks is preceded in death by his mother and father, Lillie Mae Mitchel and Reverend Jesse James Sparks; 2 sisters, Ethel Mae Smith and Jane Helen Washington; 2 brothers, Charles Barnett and Travis Sparks. He leaves to cherish his lovely wife, Kimberly Sparks; 6 daughters, Americus Sparks of Center, TX, Dametria Cartwright of Shelbyville, TX, Mukinsely Barnes of Lufkin, TX, LaKendra Barnes of Center, TX, Shakeria Barnes of Center, TX, and Shunta (Desmond) Ferguson of Lufkin, TX; 2 sons, Jordan Robinson of Logansport, LA, JaKyrie Driver of Center, TX; 8 grandkids, TaNiya Barnes, Savannah Furguson, Jikei Cartwright, Jayceon Harris, Mikevius Lane, Amida Hill, Micahel (Mikee) Hill 3 ^rd , and Au'Breyah Lacy; 5 sisters, Penney Sparks of Orange, TX, Linda Alford of Portland, OR, Merlene (Jamie) Carter of Monroe, LA, Pauline (Billy) Hewitt of Shelbyville, TX, and Lizzie Faye (Kenneth) Allen of Shelbyville, TX; 6 brothers, Andy (Margie) Marbett of Oklahoma, George (Angie Mae) Barnett of Longview, TX, Mickey Sparks (twin) of Houston, Rasheed El-Amin of Houston, and Bobby (Brenna Sparks) of Center, TX; 2 half-sisters, Pauline Johnson of Center and Earlene McCowin of Tyler; special grandson, Jayceon Harris; special friends, Calvin Gaddis and Cameron Cloudy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask deliveries be made to Watson and Sons Funeral Home, 1554 TX-7, Center, TX 75935 or Abundant Love Ministries, 1426 Shelbyville Street, Center, TX 75935.

The family would like to thank Abundant Love Ministries, HLH Timber Company LLC, and Watson and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 18, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with funeral service being held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Abundant Love Ministries. Marlin Cloudy will officiate. Interment will follow at McWilliams Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Pallbearers will be Ricky McCollister, Michael Cloudy, Cameron Cloudy, Earl Cartwright, Riley Reed, and Bobby Watts. Honorary pallbearers Jacky Williams, Bryan Gillespie, Fredrick Yarborough, and Melvin Calhoun.