Leland Ray Sparks, 88, of Cynthiana, KY, formerly of Paintsville, Johnson County, KY, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022. He was born on January 28, 1934, in Phoenix, Arizona, to the late Cullie James and Hazel Meade Sparks. He was preceded in death by one son, David. Leland was the youngest of four children; two sisters, Betty and Frances, and one brother, Jim, all deceased.
When he moved to Cynthiana in 1959, he bought Cynthiana Food Market which later became Sparks Super Valu. He opened another store in Paris called Murray’s Super Valu.
Lee is survived by his wife, Nona Murray Sparks, of 63 years; three sons, Ray (Jennie), Greg (Vickie), Darrell (Shannon); eight grandchildren, Jason (Bridget), Austin (Tiffani), Kristin (Robert), Whitney, Erin, Jared (Teerah), Abby, Ryan; and eleven great grandchildren, David, Jackson, Payton, Cooper, Barrett, Jonathan, Jesse, Jill, Connor, Grayson and Jack who brought much joy to him.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 10:30 A.M., at the Meditation Building at Battle Grove Cemetery, Cynthiana, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fayette Chapel United Baptist Church of which he was a long time member, 150 Skyview Drive, Paris, KY 40361. View and sign the guest book at www.warefuneralhome.com.