Willie Mae Sparrow was born in Suffolk, Virginia, on December 18, 1934. She departed this life on March 21, 2008, at Autumn Care of Suffolk. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Marie Barnes Sparrow, and her sister, Princess Lee Sparrow.
She was a faithful member of St. Phillip Pentecostal Church, where she worshiped, as long as her health permitted. She was most famously known for her ability to make one laugh, with her frankness and flourishing smile.
She leaves to cherish her memory two sisters, Bertha S. Taylor (John) and Lucille S. Dildy, both of Suffolk; three brothers, William Sparrow (Marian) of Ridgefield, New Jersey, John Sparrow (Barbara) of Suffolk, and Fred Sparrow (Geri) of Aurora, Colorado; one aunt, Magdalena Barnes of Suffolk; one uncle, Ernest Barnes (Virgie) of Chesapeake; seven nieces, Johnetta Sparrow, Shernita S. Copper, Cassandra Sparrow, Rae Ross, and Lisa Harris, all of New Jersey, Willina Sparrow, of New York, and Cynthia Miles, of Maryland; and five nephews, Rory Sparrow, of New Jersey, Dale Sparrow and Eddie Sparrow, of Virginia, Sean Sparrow and Rhendell Sparrow, of Colorado; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be conducted on March 26, 2008, Wednesday, 1:00 p.m., at St. Phillip Pentecostal Church, with Bishop Marshall Goodwin, Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 25th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. Internment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Crocker Funeral Home.
The family extends special thanks to the staff and administration of Autumn Care of Suffolk; Heartland Hospice; the doctors of Greater Suffolk Medical Center, especially Dr. Michael Williams; doctors of Nephrology Associates of Tidewater, especially Dr. Stanley Smith; and Sentara Obici Hospital.
