He was the son of Mrs. Vivian Ward Sparks-Robinson and her husband Joe of Columbus, and the late Johnny Frank Sparks who was born Columbus. He was a 1997 graduate of Shaw High School where he was active with the Jr. ROTC. He served in U. S. Air Force for seven years, and obtained his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was a member of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors, other than his parents, include: two siblings, Titania Y. Sparks and Brandon D. Sparks; his grandmother, Mrs. Bettye Jackson; three aunts, Debora Johnson, Teresa A. Coley and Lorene Woodard; four uncles, Merlin Ward, Greg Sparks, Willie Sparks and Lawrence Sparks; loving cousins, other relatives and friends.