Robert Lee "R.L." Sparks, age 83 of Maryville, beloved husband of Shelby Jean Sparks, left this world peacefully holding his wife's hand on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.  Born May 11, 1938, in Maryville, TN, the son of the late James Washington Sparks and Martha Tipton Sparks; son in law to the late Claude and Mae Irwin Shuler of Maryville, TN.  He graduated from Friendsville High School, class of 1956.  R.L. and Shelby married on October 11, 1958, he was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.  R.L. loved the Lord and his church family with all his heart, as well as loving his family unconditionally, farming, sports, fishing, hunting and dancing.  Preceded in death by his brother, J.D. (Maryann) Sparks; sisters, Una'V (Don) Reeves, Pat (Don) Simerly.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Shelby Jean Sparks; daughters, Sandy (Bruce) Curtis, Karen (David) Smith; son, Randy Sparks (Anna Smith); grandchildren, Leanne Sparks Lane, Casey (Jake) Boswell, Travis Sparks, Emmery (Kyle) Snyder, Dalton (Caroline) Curtis, Madison Smith, Makenzie (Josh) Williams; great grandkids, Lauren Graves, Jeremi Taylor, Jackson Boswell, Madelyn Claire Boswell, Payton Goodman, Hunter Sparks; sister, Betty Sparks Farmer of Maryville and several nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, family request memorial donations be made in memory of R.L. Sparks to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Saturday at Miller Funeral Home, Maryville, TN.  Funeral service will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Miller Funeral Home Magnolia Chapel, Rev. Allen Burchfield and Rev. Allen Tyler officiating, interment will follow at 1:00 PM at Grandview Cemetery.