Ethel Cleo Sellers Sparks, 77 of Great Mills, MD died at her residence on Sunday, July 20, 2008. Cleo, who did not use her first name of Ethel, was born October 30, 1930 in Riverview, VA.

She came to Maryland in the early 1940's with her parents, the late Dallas and Bertie Sellers of Valley Lee along with her three sisters and one brother. Cleo met and fell in love with George Sparks. They were married at the Episcopal Church in Leonardtown on June 17, 1946. They endured many ups and downs but theirs was a lasting love of 62 years.

During her life she worked at the Atwood Bus Station, Belvedere Motel, Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the Lord Calvert Motel and Restaurant.

Cleo's greatest joy in life was her family. Besides her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren she was mammaw and aunt to many, many more. Her door was always open to anyone that needed a helping hand or a good friend. There was always a hot cup of coffee and a meal. After your visit you were counted as a friend. She loved to crochet and was most proud of the many beautiful baby sets she made for her children and many others. After having a heart attack in May and a stroke, she was determined to make a blanket and cap for her newest great-grandson. With the help of her daughter she completed her task with time to spare. She welcomed the newest addition to her family in late June. Cleo was also an avid book reader and loved mystery. One of her greatest pleasures was to know a secret before others.

She was always eager to learn all she could. Cleo and George loved to travel around the United States and visit with family and friends. Many hours were spent together working in the garden. She and George canned and preserved a lot of their own vegetables. She loved working in the yard and sharing her flowers with friends.

Cleo was very proud of her children that have worked in the military. During her lifetime, two of her sons were in the Army and served in Vietnam and a grandson served in Iraq. Two other children were in the Air Force. When you went to visit she would talk of her love and support for her soldier boys as she would call them. Her children brought many friends home with them at a moments notice and her and dad always made them welcome.

She was the devoted mother of: Wallace Sparks, Tommy Sparks and his wife Pam, Steve Sparks, Debbie Shorback of Great Mills, George L. Sparks and his wife Debbie, Denna (DeeDee) Norris and her husband Ronnie, Dan Sparks and his wife Lou, Bobby Sparks and his wife Patty of Hollywood, MD Janice (Cissy) Chaney and her husband Randy of Port Tobacco and Ronald (Chris) Sparks of California.

She is also survived by 29 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, her brother Bobby Sellers and his wife Brenda of Mechanicsville, MD and her uncle Gene Sexton of King George, VA.

Cleo was preceded in death by her sons James Dallas (JD), Ernie Ray and Barry Ken Sparks, her sisters Marie Clark, Unive Dean and Cassie Underwood.

Mom would want us to be sure and tell all her friends and family thanks for all the love and support.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Wallace K. Sparks, Sr., Thomas T. Sparks, George L. Sparks, Sr., Steve C. Sparks, Chris Sparks, Sr., Dan A. Sparks, Bobby L. Sparks, Miks E. Sparks and Wallace K. Sparks, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-4101.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.