Esther D. Sparks

Esther Down Sparks went home to be with the Lord on December 6, 2024. She was born on May 27, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA to Anna and Lewis Down. She grew up in Newfield, NJ, and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at a young age, and attended grade schools there. She graduated from Vineland High School in 1944, and then went to Providence Bible Institute in RI majoring in voice. She sang in the choir, and other choral groups. While promoting the Providence school, she traveled to Flushing NY to the First Baptist Church there, and was asked to return to work as a secretary and vocalist. It was there that she met Clifton Sparks, the love of her life, and they were married on March 12, 1949. They were very active in church activities, and Esther led the Young Peoples Group, and sang at many weddings and funerals.

When they moved to Connecticut for Clif's work, they settled in Newington in 1950. They then joined the Bethany Covenant Church in New Britain. They both sang in the choir for about 40 years. Esther served on many committees including the Board of Deacons, Board of Christian Education, Evangelism and Outreach, the Prayer Team, and the Care Team. Esther loved her church family, and as part of the Care Team, she especially enjoyed greeting newcomers and guests at the door.

Esther worked at Sandpiper/ J Putnam at the Westfarms Mall until she retired in 1988.

She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Sparks; her grandchildren, Daniel Beaulieu, Benjamin Beaulieu and his wife Rebecca, and their three children, Gianna, Ashlynn and Harrison, Jacquelene McVeigh and her husband John, and their two children Adalynn and Colton, and Phillip Beaulieu and his wife Chelsey.

Her husband Clifton Sparks, her son Steven Sparks, and her son-in-law J.Paul Beaulieu, all predeceased her.

A private memorial service will be held at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.