Robert “Sparks” White

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” ~ Psalm 23:1-3

Robert “Sparks” White entered into eternal rest on Monday December 16, 2019, at Adventist Health Care White Oak Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD.  Sparks was the seventh child born to the late Clifton and Susie Scott White on October 22, 1938 in Wilmington, Virginia.

He grew up in Wilmington, V irginia and attended the Evergreen Elementary School and graduated from S.C. Abrams High School.  He accepted Christ at an early age, and became a member of the Evergree n Baptist Church in Wilmington .  Sparks utilized his vocal talents as a member of the Junior Choir. One of h is favor ite songs was “How Great Thou Art,” and he treasured scripture Psalm 23 .

As a teenager, Sparks worked for his Wilmington neighbors providing lawn care and other miscellaneous duties.  After graduating from high school, he relocated to Washington, D.C., where he worked at the Hebrew Home for the Aged from 1959 – 1965.  He was also employed by the Government Services Inco rporated (GSI) from 1965 – 1971 and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from 1971 until his retirement in January 2007. On the weekends, he worked part-time for Maryland and Washington residents who “treated him like family.”

Sparks continued to exercise his vocal talents after relocating to Washington, D. C.  He was a member of the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church Choir and the Park Road Community Church Choraleers .

Sparks had many h obbies , which included cooking, sketching houses, walking, and running errands for his elderly neighbors. One of his most treasured passions was his love for music that h e constantly played during the day after his retiremen t.  He was always happy with a positive attitude even when he w as sick.  His health care provider described him as a wonderful person to provide care and love .

His favorite saying was:  “When I finish my day disturbed, I look toward heaven and it eases my burden, and I can see another day.”

Sparks was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Susie Scott White, two brothers, Stewart Conrad and China Lewis White, three sisters, Eleanor White Brice, Virginia White Swangin , Azella White Foster, brothers-in-law, Leslie E. Brice, Arleigh “Heywood” Swangin I, Glen Thomas Foster, nephew, Arleigh Heywood Swangin II, and one great nephew Trey Rondall Houchens .

Sparks leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Camelia White, aunt Sarah O. White, a host of nieces and nephews, a devoted niece and caregiver, Charlene B. Dean , several devoted nieces Toni Etchison , Montchell Brice, and Gloria Vest, and devoted nephews William “Perry” White, and Benjamin and Mark Foster.