Here we are, three years later, and my memories of dear Virginia are still vivid. There are so many wonderful memories and one of my favorites is the trip to Alaska in July 1993. Perry, Virginia, Mac and I rented a motorhome and drove to Alaska from Orlando! We were gone 7 weeks, and it was definitely a trip to remember. Believe me when I say, "there were no secrets when we got home!"  I am so blessed to have had her for a friend. I will always miss her.

I can hardly believe two years have passed because I feel the loss of Virginia just as much as I did in 2021. Living in Naples now, where I had such great times with her, gives me a chance to relive some fun memories. She loved shopping and going out to lunch and I was always happy to join her. Her memory is a treasure!

Missing you today and all the days since you left this earth for an eternal life in Heaven! I’m getting your messages and I love you, give granddaddy a big hug for me! Until I hug your neck again my sweet angle, love you

It's been 3 years since mom passed, she would have been 93 this September. I sure do miss her and as I was going through things in my garage yesterday on her birthday, I ran across a box with her writing on it saying the box contained "Good wooden Santa's for bathroom!" It made me smile and tear up a little, it felt like she was near. Love you always, mom.

It has been a lonely year without my dear friend. I have many pictures of us together, with other friends, and I smile when I remember all the wonderful times we had together. We were friends for 54 years and I treasure every day that I shared with her.

Anyone who met Aunt Virginia realized behind her bright, smiling blue eyes was a fun loving, adventuresome spirit. Whether she was at the beach, the cabin or on a trip with her family she enjoyed the journey and the memories they built. She loved her family, daughters, sisters, nieces and nephews. You could always count on her southern hospitality, a good cup of percolated coffee and a home cooked meal. 
My mom, Etta Mae, Virginia’s baby sister had a strong life long bond. Perhaps it was the tough circumstances they grew up in or the nurturing Virginia offered. Lucky for my mom, she lived most of her life in Florida and she could visit Virginia, at least on Thanksgiving. Their visits also meant I got to see my cousins, Perri Sue, Judy, Lynn and Cindy. We were cut loose to entertain ourselves while our parents visited. 
I’m uncertain who the organizer of the “Golden Girls” was but there was an annual visit to the theaters in Palm Beach County, accompanied by a women’s vacation at my mom’s house. Now a days a “girl’s weekend”. My father willingly found a place to stay to give the women space. The tradition continued when my mom moved back to Plant City and the Golden Girls came annually for a Strawberry festival concert and sleep over. 
My aunt also enjoyed coming to Jacksonville Beach with my mother for my “Annual Ladies brunch” and weekend visit. She enjoyed the trip, spending time with family and meeting my friends.
Virginia and the generation of women who grew up in the early 20th century are admired by those who benefited from their devotion to family. May we all cherish our memories of those who have departed. 

I first met Virginia Sparkman when I was a classmate and friend of Judy's a long, long time ago. I always enjoyed visiting the Sparkman home, and I remember how welcoming and nice Mrs. Sparkman was to all of her girls' friends. I'm very thankful that I was able to reconnect with Judy a few years ago, and thus got to see her mom a couple of more times when my husband and I had lunch with Judy and her mom. Virginia was just as friendly as I remembered, and sharp as a tack! Ed and I enjoyed listening to her reminisce about her younger days and the family history. She was a magnificent lady, and will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

I met Mrs. Sparkman when Lynn and I first became friends in grade school. I was at their house a lot- and she was always so kind and wonderful to me! She was so upbeat and full of life. I saw her often when I came to Orlando to visit my mom who lives in the same neighborhood. I will treasure those memories of her now- such a grand lady who loved her family and had such a zest for life!

My Sweet Aunt Virginia is Living in Heaven Now Enjoying all Her Heavenly Love ones♥️ My Mother “Kathy Darlyn” Was My Aunt Virginia’s Middle Sister. She Adored her Sister so much when she married my Uncle Perry my Mom would Visit on the WeekEnds, she missed her Sister so Much! Uncle Perry was a Great Man to Understand!! Plant City Folks Understood! When Aunt Virginia’s First Baby Girl Perri Sue was Born my Mom had to be right there to Care for them Both. That’s Was So Sweet an Loving! My Mother Loved each of my Aunt Virginia’s Girls So So Much!  I Will always remember the Special Times my Sister KristaKay an I would Spend the Night with our Orlando Cousins. Our Aunt Virginia sat up with us after we cousins played outside during the Day, we all enjoyed watching Elvis Presley Movies Together while Eating Charles Chips out of their Big Can (( KristaKay an I had never had Charles Chips before we thought they were Awesome)). Aunt Virginia reminded me so much of my Mother! They were Both Out Going plus Such Supporters of Florida! They both Were: Friendly Floridians!!!  I’ll Love you Forever an Always Until I Met You Again In Heaven, My Beautiful an Wonderful Violet Blue, Dimpled Aunt Virginia

I met Mrs. Sparkman when i met Lynn in the 11th grade at EHS. She was always SO happy and perky- working in her yard, cooking in her kitchen. Every time i came over she'd ask me: "honey- you want something to eat? can i make you a sandwich?" of course, my answer was always SURE!!! and thank you.

She also loved to get dressed up - not necessarily in dresses, but her pants, top, shoes, jewelry always matched and a hat too!

I was lucky to have visited her about a month ago. Just stopped by when I
saw Lynn's car in the driveway. We had a great time catching up, then talking about how things had changed in our town. She still had her energy and I'm grateful for the time we had together that day.

To the Sparkman girls.....your mom ROCKED! xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxo

I met Virginia in January of 1968. We were both members of Beta Sigma Phi and new to Orlando. We clicked from the beginning and, fortunately, our husbands became best friends also. I have so many memories of our good times together - as couples. The most special was a trip the four of us made in a motor home to Alaska. We were gone 7 weeks and when we returned, there were NO secrets! Most of our trips were with our closest women friends - the "Golden Girls". That was Virginia, me, Carolyn Grace and Anne Leibowitz. Those memories are truly "treasures". Along the way, we added other dear friends - Arlene Capell, Etta Mae Busk (Virginia's sister), my cousin, Jackie Teel, Betty Thomas and Susan Snyder. We then became the "80s Ladies", but the "Golden Girls" were always the core. I will miss my dear friend, Virginia, but I will always hold her in my heart.  I certainly intend to keep in touch with her four delightful daughters. They are very dear to me.

Virginia was like my second mom from age 5 -18. I was the little girl across the street that always came over to play with Cindy. She let us have sleepovers, took me on trips to the cabin in Ocala and Plant City to do back braking manual labor in the fields! She always had a smile and welcomed me into their home. Life is so precious, I wish I would have seen her more often in my older years. Mr. and Mrs. Sparkman came to my mom's 80th surprise birthday dinner. I sat with them, catching up and remembering old times. My love and prayers go out to all of the family at this difficult time. Cindy, Lynn, Judy and Perry Sue...hold on to all your wonderful memories. With heartfelt love, Beth Pallone

My dearest Grammy- words can’t express my sorrow over losing you. You were my soulmate! As I’m sitting here writing this tears are streaming down my face because how can I convey my love for you in 100 words? 200 words? It would take infinite words to describe the amazing, beautiful, caring, generous, thoughtful, talkative, gravitational soul that you were and that you still carry on in Heaven.

Everyone who knew you loved you! Even people who didn’t know you personally loved you. My clients would always ask how’s your grandmother? You touched so many lives while you were here. I like to think I got a few traits from you as Lynn mentioned. Your love for children, your generous spirit, your cooking skills. I was told by uncle Joel that I bang the spoons in the pans like you when I stir:-) You’ve given me so many great memories I can’t put them to pen because it wouldn’t leave room for any more tributes! I am so grateful that God chose you to bear my mother and that he chose my mother to bear me, you truly will be thought of every single day and missed more than I could explain.

I remember you making me cream of wheat up at the cabin. You’d set up the little table and bring me the bowl of warm goodness and put on cartoons for me. You’d rustle around cleaning while Granddaddy and Kurt were off fishin together. I know they are caching some good ones up there in Heaven and you’ll prepare a good ol southern supper for them when they get home!

I’ll miss so many things we shared but probably most of all, I’ll miss our talks, just you and me, walking around the backyard looking at flowers or sitting together on the couch. Just being together is what I’ll miss most. I know you’d say, “I’m not gonna make it much longer” in a joking tone, and I’d say, “you have to wait to see Curtis go to college!” Well I hope we make you proud down here and I know you’ll have the best seat in the house! You were one of his biggest fans and he is missing you so much too Grammy!

Now that I’m a blubbering mess and have to leave for work, I’ll sign off, but we’ll catch up soon because I’ll still have you to talk to whenever I need you. Your devoted granddaughter, Megan

We will all remember her wicked sense of humor and her generosity. I will always remember her kindness and the many times the Bender and Sparkman families had at Little Lake Kerr cracking crab claws with coke bottles. Andy Bender

My mom was so much fun, my sisters and I took many trips with her and have so many great memories of these times. Our biggest trip was our cruise along the New England coast and up to Canada. We were a bit surprised she picked this cruise because of the colder weather, but she never complained and she not only kept up on the excursions, but surpassed us sometimes with her energy and enthusiasm! 

We took many trips to Manasota Beach, where we always rented the same house, partly because it reminded her of our house in West Palm Beach. We had a lot of cocktail hours out by the pool and endless beach walks looking for shells. We made wonderful memories together there that we will treasure always.

She loved all the old movie stars and would watch all the classics with us. She loved to read and I think my love for movies and books came from her. 
Thank you mom for being your fun, caring, beautiful self. I love you. Lynn