Melvin Joel Sparks, 79, a native of Lanett and resident of Opelika, Alabama, was the personification of joy - a bright light in the room to all he met, a beacon of happiness, an Auburn alumnus, huge fan of Tiger football and Boston Celtics basketball and always the bearer of the punniest of punny jokes.

On Sunday, August 11, Joel's bright light suddenly and unexpectedly left this world, passing on to his heavenly father and reuniting with his mother, father and so many others who had gone before him.

He was known by his middle name, Joel, to his family and friends. To his wife, Mary Ann Sparks, he was her lifelong sweetheart, great love, and best friend (having grown up next door together as kids and being married 54 years.) To his two sons, Ronnie and Preston Sparks, he was their champion, their hero of support, their example of living a Christ-like life, their friend-to-all Dad. To his daughters-in-law, Christine and Ann Sparks, he was always there with open arms, a hugger, a welcoming spirit of kindness and so genuine in offering his all. To his grandsons, Wil and Wes, he was Paw Paw – the provider of so much candy, silliness for laughter's sake, and a heart filled with pride at the amazing adults they had grown to be. To his two sisters, Yvonne Caldwell, and Betty Taylor, he was the baby of the three, the one they could cut up with and always lean on as the only boy in the family.

Joel led a life centered on others, spending so much quality time with his family and giving back through his decades of service in the church as an elder and Praise Team singer at Wellborn Christian Church in Anniston, Alabama, and Westside Christian Church, Masters Way Christian Church, Christway Christian Church and Columbia County Christian Church in Martinez, Georgia. He was baptized in 1974 at Friendship Christian Church in Riverview, Alabama, and was most recently a member of Church of the Highlands Auburn East in Auburn, Alabama. He was planning to attend homecoming services at Friendship Christian Church the day he passed, but the Lord called him on that morning to a homecoming in the sky.

Joel was a 1969 College of Engineering alumnus of Auburn University, and he had a greatly successful career as an industrial engineer for multiple textile companies, most recently working for more than 20 years as an IE for Graniteville Company in Graniteville, South Carolina (the company later being assumed by Avondale Mills.) Joel worked the equations and time studies to help the company save millions in productivity costs each year.

Perhaps what he was known most for was his great love of music (one of his favorite songs was "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship) and his skill at telling the corniest of jokes in such a captivating way that was infectious and made you laugh no matter how punny the joke was. And this is where, on behalf of my Dad, we must make you laugh: Why do chicken coops only have two doors? Because if they had four, they'd be chicken sedans!

Joel is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Sparks; his two sons, Ronnie Sparks (and his wife, Ann) and Preston Sparks (and his wife, Christine); two grandsons, Wil and Wes; two sisters, Betty Taylor and Yvonne Caldwell; and many more cousins, nephews and nieces.

A public visitation will take place at 11 a.m. CST on Friday, August 16, at Frederick Dean Funeral Home, 1801 Frederick Road, Opelika, Alabama 36801. That will be followed by a homecoming celebration service at noon CST in the funeral home chapel, to be officiated by longtime friend and pastor, Barry Clanton. That will then be followed by a brief message graveside at the place of interment at Garden Hill Cemetery, 218 Frederick Road, Opelika, Alabama, 36801. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Sparks, Preston Sparks, Wil Sparks, Wes Sparks, Dennis Caldwell and Eric Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that family and friends send monetary donations in Joel's name to Lifepoint Christian Church, 801 Paisley Lane, Grovetown, Georgia 30813.