POUND, VA- Melba Jean (Cantrell) Sparks, 77, passed away unexpectedly Sunday July 20, 2025 from Norton Community

Hospital- Norton, VA.

Jean was born in Pound, VA . on November 6, 1947 to the late Frank andMary (Howington) Cantrell. She was a Christian of the Methodist faith. Jean was a compassionate and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grand mother, sister, and aunt who loved her family infinitely. She never forgot a birthday, once she knew it…you got a card or a call from then on, she was always running errands for someone in need. Jean was a prolific reader, she was known to be a workaholic. She graduated from CVC with degree in English and worked 40+ years as a deputy clerk then clerk  in the Wise County General District Court. She was a great blessing to her loved ones

and will be missed by many. She was passionate, if it mattered to her, it mattered to her. She was highly intelligent, but could put things in terms the rest of could understand.  She was affectionately known as "Gram" to all her family and everyone who knew her well.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Gene Sparks Jr.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years Thomas "Tom" Gene Sparks- Pound, VA; daughters, Janie Short (Venessa Toups))-Johnson City, TN and Tracy Hylton (Travis)-Pound, VA; grandchildren Jordan Mullins (Erica)-Pound, VA, Emily Meade (Dylan)-Big Stone Gap, VA, Peyton Wells (Taylor)-Marietta, GA, Brendan Kern (Brittany)-Big Stone Gap, VA, Nolan Hylton-Pound, VA, and Caliope Hylton-Pound, VA; great-grandchildren Madison Mullins and fiancé Ian Hughes-Wise, VA, Gavin Mullins-Pound, VA, Cameron Mullins-Pound, VA, Kyler Meade-Big Stone Gap, VA, Beckham Meade-Big Stone Gap, VA, Asher Meade-Big Stone Gap, VA, Rosealyn Kern-Big Stone Gap, VA and Maizey Meade-Big Stone Gap, VA; one great-great grandson and one great- great granddaughter on the way; bonus grandson Gage Troups; bonus great-grandson Isiah Mullins;

bonus son Shad Bolling-Eugene OR; her sisters Jewell Mullins (Bennie)-

Pound, VA and Vanda Lawson-Norton, VA; her brother Phil Cantrell

(Christine)-Pound, VA; her special Sparks family Suzanne Sparks, Robert Sparks (Tammy), Rudy Sparks (Janet), Kathy Sparks and Karen Blahuta (David); several nieces, nephews and cousins; several great nieces and great nephews; special friends Diane Coomer, Jennifer Lester and Joey Carico; and a host of friends and loved ones.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at 7:00 pm Thursday July 24, 2025 in the Baker Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until time of services.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Jean's memory to the Pound Rescue Squad,  PO Box 711- Pound, VA 24279

Baker Funeral Home-Pound, VA is serving the family of Melba Jean

(Cantrell) Sparks.