Obituary for Terrissa A. (Gray) Sparks

Terrissa A. (Gray) Sparks 85

of Kenton

A memorial service for Terrissa A. (Gray) Sparks will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Kenton with Pastor James Goldsmith officiating. Burial at Grove Cemetery in Kenton will take place at a later date. The Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Terrissa went to be with the lord on Monday, November 18, 2024, at her residence in Kenton surrounded by her loving family. Terrissa was born on January 11, 1939, in Kenton to the loving and caring family of Dewey and Agnes (Cosart) Gray and six siblings, Ted (Maxine) Gray, Roxanne (Paul) Richardson, Donald Gray, Mary (Charles) Richardson, Duane (Dee) Gray and Dorothy (Willis) Shadley. All of which have passed except for Dorothy.

Terrissa was married to Fred Sparks Sr., and they were blessed with 2 loving and caring children, Jackie and Fred Jr. Jackie (Tim-Deceased) Byrne who had Terrissa’s first grandson, Scott Byrne. Terrissa always considered Tim a second son and she loved the Byrne family. Her son, Fred Sparks Jr., blessed her with 2 more grandsons, Tyler (Stephanie) Sparks and Trevor (Ashley) Sparks. Fred Jr. later married again and brought into the family a new Florida Family. He married Lizette Rivera-Sparks, and added Isabel, his mother-in-law, five children, Yolanda Savariau, Richard Rivera, Jonathan Rivera, Julissa Rivera, Elizer Rivera. Terrissa was also blessed with 16 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. 

Terrissa was a stay-at-home mother with an open door for family and friends. She loved the laughter, jokes and dinners held with her family. Travel was also a large part of her family’s life.

Early in life, Terrissa felt the blessing of God in her life and wanted to show that by serving others. She started a youth group to teach the word of God to the Hardin County youth. Many homes were opened to help with this endeavor, and she was always thankful for the youth ministry. Her Love of animals placed her on the Humane Society Board during which time they started the Bingo. Later she spent 10 years on the Helping Hands Outreach Board and loved helping with their Thanksgiving dinners and Back to School Bash. In the 70’s, Terrissa started her career in real estate. She was a licensed salesperson and then became a Broker. During this time, she became the first woman president of the Hardin County Board and later became the first woman president with an all-woman board in the State of Ohio Board of Realtors. Terrissa moved to Florida and eventually to Columbus, Ohio working for 20 years for JC Penny before retiring and moving back to Kenton. Once back in Kenton she resumed her career in real estate to help her friends and family in Hardin County and to reconnect with her Kenton School friends, including Berkey Hill and his family. Berkely became very special to her and an unexpected blessing for many years. Terrissa also became very active at the Abundant life Assembly of God Church where she became an unofficial greeter at services. 

The blessing of God was showered upon her during her illness for many years, she was always quick to say hospice was a great part of that. Terrissa was always quoting her favorite bible verse, “For me to live in Christ and to die, is gain”, Philippians 1:21. 

Memorial donations in Terrissa’s honor may be made to Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Kenton, Not by Choice Outreach or Helping Hands Outreach.

Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net.