Hunt Co., TX - Obituaries - Olive Jo Sparks Casey-Lee *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: "Sarah Swindell" Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** Olive Jo Sparks Casey-Lee Olive Jo Sparks Casey-Lee, 92, born March 2, 1910 in a little community three miles west of Celeste and passed away October 22, 2002 in Garland, was retired from the retail industry and was of the Baptist faith. She taught classes at First Baptist Church in Garland. She was survived by two half-sisters: Katherine Singleton and her husband, Eddie Singleton, of Houston and Anne Mae Newman of Fort Worth; daughter-in-law: Jo Ann Casey; three grandchildren: Lisa Raine and her husband, Tim Raine, Kristi Orman and husband Lanny Orman, Julie Jensen and husband, Alan Jensen; five great-grandchildren: Casey Eads, Erin Eads, Jordan Raine, Ryan Raine, and Garrett Orman; one niece, four nephews, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Theo Casey, and her second husband, Claude Lee, and a son, Sherry Casey. Also, three brothers, Milton Sparks, Glen Sparks, and Harris Sparks preceded her in death. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moman Sparks who had an early jewelry business in Celeste. Olive Jo was also a 1928 CHS graduate. Funeral service was at 10:30 AM Thursday October 24, 2002 at First Baptist Church of Garland in the Cockrell Chapel with Dr. Carr Suter officiating. Pall bearers were Casey Eads, G. M. Harris, Alan Jensen, Billy Wayne Newman, Lanny Orman, and Darrell Strong. Honorary Pall Bearers were all "parents who allowed their children to touch my life" as requested by Jo Casey-Lee. Interment was at Restland Memorial Park. Family visitation was 6:00--8:00 PM Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at Williams Funeral Home. Memorials could be made to the Child Development Center, First Baptist Church of Garland. Included in the memorial service program were these words: " MY MOTHER'S FACE I was born March 2, 1910 in a little community three miles west of Celeste, Texas. All I know about my mother is what I have been told. I was told she was quarter Cherokee Indian. My daddy always told me I looked just like her with my black eyes and hair. My mother died February 25, 1913, five days before my third birthday. She died of tuberculosis. Four little children were left without a mother. I was told she always wanted a little girl and that she had me named ten years before I was born. It is said that you do not miss what you never had--not true. I have no memory of her face. It saddens me to think of her and not know what she looked like. I grew up and had a family. Yet the longing to know my mother has always been in my heart. I know that someday Jesus will take me by the hand and lead me to Heaven. I will at last see the sweet face of my mother." (note found written on a table among Jo's things). *Classmate and friend, Wilma McCraw Cunningham, said that Moman Sparks remarried and his second wife was good to Olive Jo, Milton, Glen, and Harris Sparks.