Shirley Rose Sparks, 70, of 435 E. Hugh Street, Covington, Virginia, died July 17, 2010 at University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

She was obrn December 29, 1939 in Tazewell, Virginia, a daughter of the late George Andy Rose and Alice Johnson Rose.

Mrs. Sparks was a member of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth M. Gravley and also by two brothers, James Johnson and George Rose.

Surviving are husband, Rev. Elmer J. Sparks of Covington; eight daughters, Teressa Abner and her husband, Danny of Paris Crossing, IN; Brenda Rhoat and her husband, David of Orlando, FL; Karen Thomas and a special friend, Mike Radatz of Ft. Pierce, FL; Alice Crump and her husband, Eric of Vero Beach, Fl; Shawn Martinez and her husband, Ray of Ft. Pierce, Fl; Jennifer Reascos of Orlando, FL; Destinee Sparks and Brianna Sparks, both of Covington; 20 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Bassetti of Wytheville and Faye Hays of Ashland, KY; a sister-in-law, Betty Rose of Speedwell; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends paid their respects at the Arritt Funeral Home on Monday evening July 19, 2910.

The funeral service was held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010 in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Curley Ray officiating. The interment will be made in Mount Pleasant Church Cemetery in Wytheville at 3:00 p.m.

Arrangements are being handled by the Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, Virginia.