Obituaries
Barbara "Bobbi" Gilbert Sparks
( August 9, 1941 - April 30, 2021 )
Barbara “Bobbi” Sue Gilbert Sparks, 79, wife of the late Bill Leo Sparks, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 30, 2021. Born in Lincolnton, NC on August 9, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Marshall Burke and Mittie Estelle Gilbert. She graduated from Lincolnton High School and had a wonderful administrative career at NC Spinning in Lincolnton, Peak Resources in Gastonia and as an independent Avon representative, before retiring in 2015. She married her beloved “Billy Boo” in 1982 and they spent their years together living on Lake Wylie, her happy place. In the summer months, Bobbi enjoyed sunbathing and evening boat rides. She was a wonderful housekeeper and hostess, opening their home to family and friends regularly. With a kind and loving spirit, she often traveled to visit sick or shut-in family & friends. These close relationships are why her friends & family referred to her as “Sweet Bobbi”.
In addition to her parents and husband, Bobbi was preceded in death by her sons, Rick Fortenberry, Kenny Sparks and Michael Sparks; siblings, Dean Gilbert, Gearleen Phaneuf and Christine Morrow; and nephews Steve and Marty Gilbert. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Sean Bumgarner (Cindy) of Belmont; daughter, Carole Sparks Murray (Rick) of Winston-Salem; daughters-in-law, Joy Fortenberry of Lincolnton and Beverly Sparks of Gastonia; grandchildren, Montgomery Fortenberry, Monica Wollak (Colby), CJ Bumgarner (fiancé Tory Coleman), Courtney Bumgarner, Josh Sparks (BethAnn), Ana Linn Nifong (Patrick), Sarah Crockett (Lucian) and David Murray; great-grandchildren Maxwell Wollak, Kinsley Bumgarner, Paul Nifong, Jacks and Beau Sparks; sister, Shirley Moore of Lincolnton; nieces and nephews Cindy Gilbert, Suzie Helms, Jeff Moore and Crystal Pardon; and special friend, Jamie Mayberry, who was like a grandson to Bobbi and will honor her with his music at the graveside.
The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you for the love and care provided by Isabella Huskins, Shay Stilwell and Masey Money.
A graveside service will take place at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Reverend Steven Fuller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 2650 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.
In addition to her parents and husband, Bobbi was preceded in death by her sons, Rick Fortenberry, Kenny Sparks and Michael Sparks; siblings, Dean Gilbert, Gearleen Phaneuf and Christine Morrow; and nephews Steve and Marty Gilbert. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Sean Bumgarner (Cindy) of Belmont; daughter, Carole Sparks Murray (Rick) of Winston-Salem; daughters-in-law, Joy Fortenberry of Lincolnton and Beverly Sparks of Gastonia; grandchildren, Montgomery Fortenberry, Monica Wollak (Colby), CJ Bumgarner (fiancé Tory Coleman), Courtney Bumgarner, Josh Sparks (BethAnn), Ana Linn Nifong (Patrick), Sarah Crockett (Lucian) and David Murray; great-grandchildren Maxwell Wollak, Kinsley Bumgarner, Paul Nifong, Jacks and Beau Sparks; sister, Shirley Moore of Lincolnton; nieces and nephews Cindy Gilbert, Suzie Helms, Jeff Moore and Crystal Pardon; and special friend, Jamie Mayberry, who was like a grandson to Bobbi and will honor her with his music at the graveside.
The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you for the love and care provided by Isabella Huskins, Shay Stilwell and Masey Money.
A graveside service will take place at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Reverend Steven Fuller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 2650 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Posted on 04 May 2021
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