Tommielu Lambeth Sparks Obituary (1939

Tommielu Lambeth Sparks, 82, a longtime Gainesville, Florida, resident passed away on October 6, 2021. She was born March 12, 1939 to Margaret (Waits) and William Lambeth. She attended Kirby Smith Elementary School and graduated from Gainesville High School Class of 1957. She earned her Registered Nursing credentials from the Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans; An alma mater of which she was very proud. She was a staff nurse for a number of years at Alachua General Hospital before assuming other positions including Nurse Epidemiologist, Emergency Room Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Patient Services, and ultimately concluding her nursing career as Coordinator of Quality, Accreditation & Licensure at Shands Hospital. A monumental highlight of her career was being selected for inclusion in the 1984 volume of Who's Who in American Women. As a Mother, her skills in sewing, cooking, and baking were legendary with both her family and many friends. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville. Tommielu was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and husband of 57 years, Gainesville pharmacist Philip Oliver Sparks, (September 1938-March 2019), her only sibling, Albert Franklin Lambeth of LaCrosse, WI (May 1940-January 2011), and her parents, Margaret and William Lambeth. Surviving with warm memories are her son Steven P. Sparks (Mitzi) with granddaughters Alec Musen and Kes Musen, and great grandson Breydin Jury, and her son Franklin W. Sparks (Kathy) with granddaughter Taylor Sparks and grandson Stephen Smith. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the First Baptist Church 14105 NW 39th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32606. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Haven Hospice 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32601 or First Baptist Church. Arrangements are in the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 311 S. Main Street Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 376-5361 www.milamfh.com