Sue Ann (Watts) Sparks

Sue Ann Sparks, 88 years old, died on March 12, 2024, at her home in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. 

Sue Ann was born on February 10, 1936, in Erwin, Tennessee, to Paul and Bonnie Watts. The oldest girl of 10 siblings, she has been a “momma” since a young age.

Throughout her life, she maintained a sweet and loving demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy and gratitude shown through her smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten.

Sue Ann attended Unicoi High School in Tennessee where she met her sweetheart, Robert Sparks, as she was walking to school one day. Robert noticed the pretty young blonde while driving by, pulled over, and introduced himself. They enjoyed many hours of rollerskating together at the local rink and getting burgers and shakes at the Big Hat. The couple were married on February 8, 1957, in Greeneville, SC.

Married for 67 years, Sue Ann and Robert raised their two daughters, Donna and Debra. The couple moved to Arkansas for four years where Sue Ann gave birth to Donna. They then moved “home” to east Tennessee for a year where she gave birth to Debbie. Due to better work opportunities in Michigan, Robert got on a train and headed north to begin work for Ford Motor Co. Sue and their daughters moved to join him soon after and they remained in the Plymouth area for many years. The family especially enjoyed it when they lived near downtown Plymouth. It was a safe and great area to raise a family. Robert and Sue Ann always dreamed of having a home in the country on acreage and made that dream come true in 1993 when they purchased six acres and built their dream home. Sue Ann had a servant’s heart and she faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking/baking from scratch – everyone who knew her loved her southern cooking. A woman of faith and the heart of the Sparks family, Sue Ann shaped their spirituality through her tireless Christian example. Sue Ann and Robert were happily content in their country home and enjoyed lots of time with their three grandchildren, Alicia, Rachael, and Jacob. They adored caring for them and teaching them about nature and gardening. Sue Ann loved flower and vegetable gardening and canning vegetables for her family.

After Robert’s retirement in 2006, they enjoyed even more time with family, traveling to the beach in North Carolina and seeing family in Tennessee and North Carolina.  In time three great-grandchildren were added to the family to be treasured.  The highlight of Sue Ann’s life was her family.  Although she had to continue to slow down each year with age and health issues, she cared for her family as long as she possibly could. 

Her surviving family members are numerous, but mainly include:

Husband of 67 years: Robert Sparks
Mother of two daughters and their husbands: Donna and Richard Brown, and Debbie and Steven Sakowski.
Grandmother to three: Alicia Brown (Tyler Selke), Rachael Sakowski (Marcus Flemming), and Jacob Sakowski (Maria Tortorici)
Great-grandmother to three: Milaya, DeLaney, and Leighton
Other immediate family - Four sisters: Margaret and James Sagers, Louise and James Jacobs, Geraldine and Robert (deceased) Southards, and Carol and Larry Smith. Three brothers: Russell and Trula Watts, Harold and Sabrina Watts, and Stevie and Paulette (deceased) Watts.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Bonnie (Adams) Watts, three brothers and two sisters-in-law: Charles (Sonja Watts), Delbert (Kay Watts), and Jimmy Farrell Watts. 

Other family members: Sue Ann has numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews that have enriched our lives and we are so thankful to have been part of such a large family. 

Sue’s Family and Friends will gather Friday, March 15, 2024, from 12:00PM-1:30PM, at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Hamburg Chapel. Her Community Farewell will follow at 1:30PM. Pastor Tom Snyder will serve as Celebrant. Please leave a message of comfort for Sue’s family at 1-877-231-7900 or sign her guestbook at www.borekjennings.com

Memorial donations can be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from too many people to name individually. We love and pray for each of you and very much appreciate you.

This Obituary is written by her daughters, Donna Brown and Debbie Sakowski, in honor of our dear Mother. It is our tribute to her memory, which will be carried on in the legacy of love that is now part of each of us – the lives she formed and touched by her love. A beautiful example of living a life of love and faith.

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