Robert Clayton Sparks

Funeral services celebrating the life of Robert Clayton Sparks of Monroe, Louisiana will be held at 2:30 P.M., Friday May 16, 2025, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Monroe, Louisiana with Reverend Whitfield Stodghill, III officiating. Visitation is from 1:00 P.M. until time for service. Interment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, Louisiana under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be PJ Turpin, Garrett Landry, Brennan Morris, Carter Sparks, Clayton Turpin, and Tony Patrick.

Robert Clayton Sparks, age 56, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him deeply following a long courageous sixteen-year battle of mitochondrial myopathy and cerebellar ataxia at The Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Home. Robert was born August 12, 1968, in Monroe, Louisiana. He was the third child of four children of James Dilling Sparks, Jr. and Frances Marie Jones Sparks.

Robert was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe, LA. He graduated from Neville High School. While at Neville High School, he was a competitive sportsman athlete in football and baseball who truly loved the game. He attended Louisiana State University and received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance from Northeast Louisiana University (ULM). He retired as an Independent Catastrophe Adjuster in the Property & Casualty Industry. Later, he pursued a law degree from Birmingham School of Law until his illness developed.

Born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, he brought joy and warmth to every life he touched—with a radiant smile that could light up a room and a heart full of generosity, tenderness, and strength.

A proud son of Monroe, Robert cherished his hometown, his roots, Neville High School and the community that shaped him. He was a loyal LSU fan, a season ticket holder who lived and breathed LSU football, especially LSU baseball. He was always cheering on the Tigers with passion and pride. But above all, Robert loved his family. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend who found joy in the simple things—gatherings filled with laughter, shared memories, and the comfort of being together.

In his later years, Robert lived bravely with mitochondrial disorder {Ataxia}, a health challenge to his hearing, vision, brain, and muscle functions that he met with unshakable courage, soulful, and quiet grace. Through every difficulty, he never lost his presence of mind or his sense of humor. He showed us what it means to be resilient, to face adversity without bitterness, and to keep moving forward with love in your heart, your words, and spirit.

His later life, though marked by struggle, was defined by hope, love, strength, and connection. Robert leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, perseverance, and the reminder to cherish each moment.

Robert is preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Frances Marie Jones Sparks; his paternal grandparents, James and Lillie Sparks; and his maternal grandparents, Walter and Lottie Jones.

Robert is survived by his father, James D. Sparks, Jr.; brother, James Dilling Sparks, III and his wife, Julie Ann; sisters, Mary Howell Sparks Coon and Frances (Fran) Holloman Sparks Turpin and her husband, PJ; nieces and nephews, Thad Carter Sparks, Laura Lillie Sparks, Mary Frances Coon Landry (Garrett), Caroline Carter Coon Morris (Brennan), and Clayton Jefferson Turpin; great nieces and nephews, John Michael Landry, Lillie Marie Landry, Farrington Frances Landry, Mary Holloman Landry, and Elizabeth Carter Morris.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude and appreciation to our home health-care specialist, Randall Bonnett, The Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Staff, and the Hospice Team of Elara Caring. Your medical professionalism, attention to patient care, and compassion were always at the foremost of our brother’s well-being. Our family is truly thankful.

Memorials may be made to The Tarver Braddock Foundation or the charity of your choice.