Charlie Sparrow & Minnie Melvin-Sparrow
Sparrow-Melvin Children
Agnes |
Ella Louise |
Mary |
Martha |
Louis |
Idella |
Juanita |
Joseph |
Margie |
Charles |
Agnes S. Sparrow
God presented a new life through birth to the late Mr. Charlie & Minnie ( Melvin ) Sparrow, in the town of Montbrook, Florida, County of Levy, on February 8, 1916. This was the second of eleven children born to this union. Her parents named her Agnes. Thus, in the eyes of the Lord, her life's journey commenced. Her early childhood education began in the public schools of Montbrook, Florida, a small town in which she was born. As years passed, many obstacles prevented her from attending school in any consistent manner, so her formal education ended early, and she began working outside the home at a very early age. Even though she wasn't blessed to attain a formal education as was her desire, she did not let that prevent her from seeking the best jobs possible and surrounding herself with people who could and did help her improve herself in terms of proper etiquette and fashion. Agnes enjoyed reading, fishing, and working. She was blessed to acquire good jobs that paid well, ( in those days). She would always say, " Only God could have placed me in those positions." Agnes traveled and lived in various cities: Key West, Miami, Jacksonville, and other cities during her lifetime. Finally, she settled in Orlando, and became head cook in the Cafeteria of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Orlando from where she retired. Agnes was guardian to several nieces and nephews and was, herself, blessed with one son, Theodore " Ted " Holton, whom she loved very much. Her role as mother took priority in caring for him, especially before her work day began and immediately after it ended at the close of each day. Agnes confessed her love for the Lord at an early age. While living in Orlando, she enjoyed attending Mount Zion Missionary Institutional Church where she united under the pastorate of the late Rev. N.G. Staggers: there she worshiped for several years before moving with her husband, the late Mr. Henry Rizer, to Eatonville, Florida. Immediately, she united with Open Door Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. James Brown. A new pastor was summoned to Open Door, and Agnes continued to serve faithfully under his leadership until failing health confined her to home and then to Palm Garden Health Center where she expired; Her life: A time to be born, A time to learn, A time to love, A time to serve, A time to enjoy life, and A time to journey home with the Lord.
Juanita Sparrow Dawkins
Feb 20, 1918 - March 9, 2007
Juanita Sparrow was born February 20, 1918 to the Late Mr. Charlie and Minnie Sparrow in the town of Mount Brooks Florida• She accepted Christ at an early age and joined Zion Hill Baptist Church of Mount Brooks Florida- After residing in several other cities in Florida, she finally made Orlando, Florida her permanent residence. Juanita was the proud Mother of eleven children one daughter and ten sons she was a mother of structure and grace who raised her children with god first. Her favorite phrase was "Put God first in everything you do" She was a very loving mother to her children as well to her family. While living in Orlando, Florida she united with Mt Sinai Missionary Baptist church and later joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church, she remained a faithful member until her health began to deteriorate. Juanita received training and worked as a Nurses Aid for Sunland Hospital in Orlando, Upon leaving that job she continued to use her skills where ever needed, helping elderly family members, young children, friends, neighbors and many others. A solid ear for listening to your problems, and a soft tone to make you feel better.Juanita had many hobbies: cooking, gardening, singing, taking care of her birds, plants and fishing, but her favorite was fishing. Juanita Sparrow Dawkins knew what it meant when it comes to family she all ways said look after one another and respect your elders. In memories to our mother Miss Juanita Sparrow Dawkins a Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grand Mother, Sister, Auntie, Niece, Cousin and Friend
 Mary Sparrow Reynolds
Mary Sparrow was born to the Late Mr. Charles Sparrow and Minnie Melvin Sparrow on October 22, 1924 in Montbrook, Florida. She was educated and raised in the small town along with her other siblings. Mary later met and married Mr. Henry Reynolds and moved to Orlando from Ocala in 1958. She united with the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, serving on the Deconess Training Staff and the Senior Usher Board under the Late Rev. Roscoe Wade. Her occupation of choice for many years was helping others look beautiful by becoming a Beautician. On November , 1988, completing her earthly assignment she was called to rest among the many other beautiful flowers in God's garden.
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 Ella Louise Sparrow Hewitt
The late Ella Louise Sparrow Hewitt was born October 23, 1921 to the late Charles Sparrow and Minnie Melvin Sparrow in Montbrook, Florida. She attended school in Montbrook, Florida and was an active member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Ella Sparrow was united in marriage to Mr. Robert Hewitt in 1943 and to this union one daughter Emma Mae Hewitt was born. The family eventually moved to Orlando, Florida where Ella joined and became a member of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church and w as an active member of the choir, Missionary Society, President of the Nurses Guild and a community activist. Ella was a devoted, loving and nurturing mother to her daughter Emma and a loving daughter to her mother. During a time of sorrow, the death of her father, she helped the family by helping to raise her younger sister Margie Sparrow. On June 10, 1972, she became one of Gods' flowers adding to his garden of eternal joy with those who had passed on through her daughter Emma Mae Hewitt and husband Freddie Easter many descendants have been added to the family and are listed for your pleasure of getting to know them. |
Idella Minnie-Lee Chandler
Idella Minnie-Lee Chandler-Sparrow was born July 2, 1927 in Mount Brook, Florida to the late Charlie and Minnie Sparrow. Idella was the seventh of eleven children born to her parents. Raised up in rural Mount Brook of Levy County, she played as a little girl many games that we hear too little of from today's children. They were games such as: Little Sally Walker, What Time It Is Old Fox, and Pocket Handkerchief-A-Walkin'. With little or no money to buy toys, children were left to their own imaginations In the making up and playing of games. But, even the time that they had to do that was limited, as in those days, as well as the afternoons after school were filled with chores. Wood had to be chopped and carried, water had to be drawn and/ or carried, animals fed, lampshades cleaned, etc. Idella worked even as a young girl in various tasks and jobs in and around the home, none of course which money was received. Many of the chores which she, her sisters and brothers helped in were traded for other needed supplies or services. If money was paid none went to the children, but to the parents. At age 17, she married a young man that had come to know and work with her father. His name was Sam Chandler. They became married on the 14th of April in 1944. There were six children born from that union, four boys and two girls. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Irvine, of Marion County, Florida. It was there that four of their six children were born. They both went to work at The Irvine Crate and Basket Company. From a desire of her husband to own their own land and home, they found and purchased four and a half acres of land in Flemington, Florida, and after paying for it, moved on it in June 1918. This was and remains the homestead of the family even though the whole of her mother, brothers, and sisters relocated from the old homestead in Mount Brook to Orlando sometime during the mid-fifties. When her husband inquired if she also wanted to move to Orlando to be near her family, she answered with a resounding "no!" Not because she did not want to be near her family, but because, even then, she wanted no parts of Orlando. This was and continues to be one of the major decisions that all of her children would and continue to thank her for. In Flemington, she and her husband's home became a sort of gathering place for many neighborhood kids. Neither they nor their children seemed to mind, and God had always provided more than enough to share. From the constant gathering of children at her home, she saw a need and set forth to organize a community youth club. She enlisted the help of another community leader, Mrs. Buie, and The Lamplight's Club was formed. Out of this club came The Youth Community Chorus, which sang in places like Miami, all over central and north central Florida, including weekly radio performances on WKOS Radio in Ocala. To this day Mrs. Idella Chandler's home remains a place where anyone can come, feel the hospitality of a loving home, have a conversation, and share a meal. After all, she explains, "It is not me nor my house, but The Lord Jesus Christ who lives in both."
Margie Sparrow Wells
Given life through birth in 1939, Margie Wells, closed the sibling lineage as the youngest of eleven children born to the late Charlie and Minnie Sparrow, in Mont brook, Florida. Growing up in a small country town was exciting, full of fun, laughter, happiness, and adventure. I enjoyed the freedom of feeling safe and secure based on the kind of life we were allowed and able to live, experience and explore. LOVE of parents surrounded us on a daily basis. We were expected to attend church and school,• that we respected, accepted and did. Following the death of my father, which was an extremely heart-breaking, traumatic experience for me as a twelve year old girl, a decision was made that I would move to Orlando, Florida, to live with one of my older, married sister's, Ella and Robert Hewitt, both now deceased, and their daughter, Emma. The move turned out to be helpful, successful and right for me and seemed to have worked well for everyone involved. I enrolled in Jones High School; graduating in 1957. One year later, in 1958, I enrolled at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, graduating in May of 1962. God had chosen the man that would become my husband and on July 15, 1962, "True loyalty of love" was defined by the marriage of Margie to the late Billy Wells. To this blessed union, a beautiful baby girl opened her eyes to electric lighting, February 24, 1973.
Today, after 38 years of educating young minds in the academic arena, I am more than enjoying retirement. I am enjoying life and living! I'm a member of and involved in numerous organizations, Associations, and retirement units to provide volunteer hours to senior citizens, high school students, and libraries and other groups-projects and program as well as assisting high school s through volunteering. It feels good to be able to do some of what I've always dreamed of doing without signing-in, setting the clock, or calling in excuses. Now, I can give back a portion of my time helping many who are in need of much that I have to offer. 1 thank God for His blessings and I must say To God is the Glory for all He has done for me.
Today, after 38 years of educating young minds in the academic arena, I am more than enjoying retirement. I am enjoying life and living! I'm a member of and involved in numerous organizations, Associations, and retirement units to provide volunteer hours to senior citizens, high school students, and libraries and other groups-projects and program as well as assisting high school s through volunteering. It feels good to be able to do some of what I've always dreamed of doing without signing-in, setting the clock, or calling in excuses. Now, I can give back a portion of my time helping many who are in need of much that I have to offer. 1 thank God for His blessings and I must say To God is the Glory for all He has done for me.
Joseph S. Sparrow, Sr.
Joseph S. Sparrow, Sr. was born to the late Charlie Sparrow and Minnie Melvin on December 1, 1919 in Montbrook,Fiorida. Life was both interesting as well as complicated. The small country town was exciting, balanced, and memorable. Always yearning to explore and venture out, with limited education, being of good faith, the love of my parents and the thought of being the eldest, sent me on a quest to find work and extend my life's experiences at an early age. Far, far, beyond the borders of Levy county.
First, traveling southbound and then North, traversing across many trails and byways along the way. Touched cities and counties as far away as Vero Beach, Dade county, Detroit and places heard of but never visited. At one point, I saw an outlet to sanity, the means to make a living and learn important skills while serving in the United States Army. Many lessons were learned and experiences manifested. After working several odd jobs, I enlisted in the military and was later honorably discharged upon completion of my patriotic duty. Faced with separation from service, the cold war era, and finding my niche in life I met and married a wonderful woman, Millicent Florence Roberts where we raised and nurtured ten children. The family relocated to Orlando,Florida where I worked for the Orlando Transit Authority , delivered ice to residents, and became a Custodial Engineer for Washington Shores Elementary school. Later, I retired after serving over 30 years with Orange County Public Schools. During my tenure there I was instrumental in organizing the first Custodial Union in the Orange County school system and was an active member of the PTA. His hobbies and interest involved baseball, gardening, agriculture and most of all fishing. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church ( Deacon ) and later Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional church where he served on the Deacon's board faithfully. Aside from being the delivery man for Thomas Cleaners, he was always sort after as the handy-man in the community, doing carpentry, painting, landscaping and hanging holiday decorations, seasonally. On Jan, 17, 2001 he was called to his heavenly father. His linage is reflected in the list of descendants now carrying on his legacy.
First, traveling southbound and then North, traversing across many trails and byways along the way. Touched cities and counties as far away as Vero Beach, Dade county, Detroit and places heard of but never visited. At one point, I saw an outlet to sanity, the means to make a living and learn important skills while serving in the United States Army. Many lessons were learned and experiences manifested. After working several odd jobs, I enlisted in the military and was later honorably discharged upon completion of my patriotic duty. Faced with separation from service, the cold war era, and finding my niche in life I met and married a wonderful woman, Millicent Florence Roberts where we raised and nurtured ten children. The family relocated to Orlando,Florida where I worked for the Orlando Transit Authority , delivered ice to residents, and became a Custodial Engineer for Washington Shores Elementary school. Later, I retired after serving over 30 years with Orange County Public Schools. During my tenure there I was instrumental in organizing the first Custodial Union in the Orange County school system and was an active member of the PTA. His hobbies and interest involved baseball, gardening, agriculture and most of all fishing. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church ( Deacon ) and later Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional church where he served on the Deacon's board faithfully. Aside from being the delivery man for Thomas Cleaners, he was always sort after as the handy-man in the community, doing carpentry, painting, landscaping and hanging holiday decorations, seasonally. On Jan, 17, 2001 he was called to his heavenly father. His linage is reflected in the list of descendants now carrying on his legacy.
Charles Sparrow
Charles loved to fix things. He took up cabinet making at Jones High School, which gave him the knowledge to do what he is passionate about. He was the perfect handyman. He did some plumbing, a little automotive mechanic jobs, and a lot of cabinetry work. Customers loved his work! Everyone in the neighborhood knew Mr. Sparrow because of his multiplicity of skills and warm personality. If they had a problem which needed fixing they would always call on him. Even the neighborhood children would rely on Mr. Sparrow to fix their bikes and other toys. Charles did those things while holding down a full job at Borden Dairy. They knew him as the "Milk Man" because of his milk route. He was also known for giving milk away to the less fortunate. He also served in the U.S Army three years and in the Army Reserves for 17 years. Charles sang in a group called the Southland Gospel Singers for over twenty years. At church, his favorite song is / Believe I'll Run On And See What The End Will Be. All the young adults and youth refer to him as Deacon Run On. On First Sunday everyone wanted to hear that song. It became the first Sunday anthem at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where he also served on the deacon board and Brotherhood Ministry for many years. On a more personal note, he loved to cook breakfast. Sometimes grits sometimes pancakes and sometimes cream of wheat, which his twins despised. They wondered why Dad would cook cream of wheat if they hated it and loved everything else. His saying was, "you better eat it and you better not miss that bus to school". On one occasions the twins recall stuffing their mouths with the cream of wheat and taking turns to the bathroom to dispose of it in the toilet. It was just that bad, but they could not miss the bus to school. He is the father of 8 children, 3 which are deceased and two which are fraternal twins. He's been married for 44 years to Betty Sparrow.
Louis Sparrow
I am Louis Sparrow, third son born to the late Charlie Sparrow and Minnie Melvin Sparrow. The lucky date for my birth was September 23, 1936, in the small town of Montbrook, Florida. My formal education began at age six, in a one-room school house located in that small town of Montbrook, Florida. The grades ranged from first through ninth grades, with one teacher in charge and all academic subjects as well as the students. Following my final grade at that school, I enrolled in Williston Vocational High School, located in another small town, Williston, Florida. Williston, Florida was considered in my eyes compared to Montbrook big. Oh what a change! At this school, there were one or two teachers for each subject. Opportunities were available for me to participate in several sports, basketball, football, baseball, and other extracurricular activities. Experiencing sad news that my father had died, suddenly, of a heart attack was devastating for to the entire family, but extremely hurtful to me. My mother was left with a heavy burden and a sad and lonely heart. She became the primary caregiver of the family; financially, spiritually, emotionally and much more.
In 1955, the family relocated to Orlando, Florida. What a change and great challenge this produced for me. This meant adapting to another school, new teachers, and new people to become acquainted with. It was this new school from where I earned my high school diploma, but it wasn't easy, because while attending school, I worked on week-ends and many evenings after school to help with the financial needs of the family. I was blessed to receive agriculture Work Scholarship, which gave me an opportunity to enroll at Florida A&M University (FAMU). During my one year there, I joined the Reserve Officers Training Core (ROTC), and became a member of the famous Drill Team. After that year, due to mental stress and the thought of the difficulty relating to finances and the family, I returned home and joined the world of worked to earn money to help the family. In 1960, the army branch of the U. S. Military called, and I answered. As a result of my world of work experiences, I advanced quickly in the army to the rank of Specialist (E-5). After two years of active duty, I transferred into the Army Reserve; field of engineering. There, I served actively for thirty-one years; advancing to the rank of Sergeant (E-8). Using the GI Bill, I was able to advance my education and received a certificate of completion at Vo-Tech in electronics, and was hired by Xerox Cooperation as a service technician.
I am thankful to Almighty God for His blessings upon me throughout my life. This year marks 51 years of marriage to wife. Lillie M. Sparrow.
In 1955, the family relocated to Orlando, Florida. What a change and great challenge this produced for me. This meant adapting to another school, new teachers, and new people to become acquainted with. It was this new school from where I earned my high school diploma, but it wasn't easy, because while attending school, I worked on week-ends and many evenings after school to help with the financial needs of the family. I was blessed to receive agriculture Work Scholarship, which gave me an opportunity to enroll at Florida A&M University (FAMU). During my one year there, I joined the Reserve Officers Training Core (ROTC), and became a member of the famous Drill Team. After that year, due to mental stress and the thought of the difficulty relating to finances and the family, I returned home and joined the world of worked to earn money to help the family. In 1960, the army branch of the U. S. Military called, and I answered. As a result of my world of work experiences, I advanced quickly in the army to the rank of Specialist (E-5). After two years of active duty, I transferred into the Army Reserve; field of engineering. There, I served actively for thirty-one years; advancing to the rank of Sergeant (E-8). Using the GI Bill, I was able to advance my education and received a certificate of completion at Vo-Tech in electronics, and was hired by Xerox Cooperation as a service technician.
I am thankful to Almighty God for His blessings upon me throughout my life. This year marks 51 years of marriage to wife. Lillie M. Sparrow.
