Mary Branch Sparks, 94, passed away on October 20, 2016. She was born on May 29, 1922, in Meriden, CT, and grew up in Augusta, ME. Mary graduated from Gates Business College in 1940. She was a staff sergeant in the Marines when she met her husband. She retired from TVA after many years. Mary was a world traveler and life-long learner. She returned to school later in life and received her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Mississippi and became an RN at age 59. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Howard Sparks, in 1988. Survivors include her daughter Anita Sparks Bryan (Hudson) of Tupelo, Daryl Sparks (Ann) of Memphis, TN; grandchildren Leah Bremseth Adams (Chad) of Atlanta, GA, Brittney Sparks of Nashville, TN, Matthew Bremseth (Nicole) of Walls, MS, John Bremseth (Rachel) of Tupelo; and great-grandchildren Mary Catherine, Sarah Frances, Elizabeth Anne, Margaret Hyde Adams, Andrew and Nathan Bremseth, and James Henry Bremseth. Services are private to the family. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel is honored to assist the family at this difficult time. Condolences may be e-mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.