Jeanne J. Sparks, church organist

Jeanne J. Sparks, 86, of Lewes and formerly of Fenwick Island and Middletown, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Cadbury at Lewes. She was born in Middletown, the daughter of the late J. Lemont and Ethel (Price) Jones.

Jeanne graduated from Wesley College where she studied organ music. She had been the organist for Bethesda United Methodist Church in Middletown for 25 years. When she and her husband moved to Fenwick Island, she was the organist at St. Matthew-By-the-Sea United Methodist Church for 17 years. She was a member of St. Matthew-By-the-Sea and an associate member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes.

Jeanne was instrumental in helping St. Matthew-By-the-Sea expand to a year-round church. She started the United Methodist Women and was secretary of both the Finance Committee and Administrative Council. Jeanne was a former president of the Wilmington District of the United Methodist Women. Jeanne also received the Order of St. Barnabas award for outstanding service.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John N. “Jack” Sparks Jr. of Lewes; two sons, John N. Sparks III and his wife Jan of Coral Springs, Fla. and Jeffrey T. Sparks and his wife Mona of Orlando, Fla.; a daughter, Janet K.S. Blevins and her husband John of Seaford; two grandchildren, Jaime Sparks and Kevin Sparks; and a great-granddaughter, Cara Guthrie.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, at St. Matthew-By-the-Sea United Methodist Church in Fenwick Island with the Rev. Bruce Miller officiating. Friends may call an hour before the service. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Middletown Thursday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew-By-the-Sea United Methodist Church, 1000 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, DE 19944, or to the Cadbury Foundation, 17028 Cadbury Circle, Lewes, DE 19958.