The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, February 6, 1996              TAG: 9602060234
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

ETHEL L. SPARKS

Ethel L. Sparks, 87, of the 6100 block of Tidewater Drive, died Feb. 5, 1996.

Mrs. Sparks, the widow of Hoyt E. Sparks, was a retired sales lady for Lerner Shops, where she worked for 20 years. She was a native of Forest City, N.C., and a member of Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Martha F. Andrews of Pearlinton, N.C., Nancy Gentel of Frederick, Md.; a son, David L. Sparks of Virginia Beach; two sisters, Polly Fincannon of Chesapeake, Elizabeth McGraw of Shelby, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in Riverside Memorial Park by the Rev. Robert Dewitt. The family will receive friends in Smith and Williams Funeral Home, Norfolk Chapel, from 7 to 8 p.m Wednesday.

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB