Celebrating the life of
Cleo Sparks Olson
August 25, 1926 - March 12, 2015
Savannah- Cleo Sparks Olson, 88, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Candler Hospital. Cleo was born in Portal, Georgia, daughter of John Henry Sparks and Idolene Turner Sparks. She moved to Savannah during her teen years and was later a welder of Liberty Ships during WWII. She retired from Armstrong State College where she was the manager in the postal office. Cleo attended First Baptist Church of the Islands and Wilmington Island United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Olson, Jr.
Surviving are her children, Dorothy Williams (Craig) of Austin, TX and Savannah; son, John Olson, III (Elizabeth) of St. Matthews, SC; grandchildren, Julie Wehman, Ellen Olson; great-grandchildren, Kate and Jake Wehman; two brothers, Ralph Sparks and Manfred Sparks: her very special friend, Milt Johnson, and her beloved dog, Cha Cha Deuce.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 at First Baptist Church of the Islands with Rev. Brooks Cail, officiating.
Burial will take place at Beaufort National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2015.
So sorry for your family's loss, Ellen. Please know I'm praying for each of you today and in the days ahead. Much love, Ann Poole
- Ann T. Poole, Laurens, SC
So many memories of Savannah, Bull River, Finding worms for the first time,crabbing for the first time, and swimming in your back yard (alligator or not). I have so many great memories.
- Olson, Greenville, SC
Please change the title to Olson v/s Olsen pet peeve that always happens to our name. Thank you. Grandmother I wish I could have spent more time with you before the end. I know you lived a full life and are in a happier place than where you were over the last few months. I am so happy for many memories I have of you and Savannah. Love, Ellen
- Ellen Olson, Greenville , SC
Your mom was the life of the party at Senior Friendship Days at the Wilmington Island United Methodist Church. She will be missed!
- Charlotte Carpenter, Savannah, GA
This lovely lady was one of my mother's sisters. There were six girls in the family and they were sweet ladies who loved their family. They enjoyed being together for special times of fun and enjoyment. Both the six girls and four brothers enjoyed family from being an integral part of the Sparks family to rearing their own families. Aunt Cleo, we will all miss you and we'll continue to love the memories shared with you. God bless you and your family.
- N. Luree Bowen, Winder, GA
I am so sorry to hear about Cleo. She was a very special person. I first met her when I moved to Savannah in 2000. I joined the singing group named the Bells N Beau's. We spent many a wonderful day together singing and entertaining. One year at Christmas she even wore an elf outfit for a skit in our program. She worked very hard to bring joy to other people. She will be missed by all of us. We loved her.
- Judy Hutchinson, Savannah, Ga.
I am so sorry to hear about Cleo Cleo was a special person she always made you laugh we are going to miss her. But soon we will see her again in heaven Again I am sorry Hank Vaughn
- Cleo Olsen, Savannah, Ga
So sorry for your family's loss, Ellen. Please know I'm praying for each of you today and in the days ahead. Much love, Ann Poole
- Ann T. Poole, Laurens, SC
So many memories of Savannah, Bull River, Finding worms for the first time,crabbing for the first time, and swimming in your back yard (alligator or not). I have so many great memories.
- Olson, Greenville, SC
Please change the title to Olson v/s Olsen pet peeve that always happens to our name. Thank you. Grandmother I wish I could have spent more time with you before the end. I know you lived a full life and are in a happier place than where you were over the last few months. I am so happy for many memories I have of you and Savannah. Love, Ellen
- Ellen Olson, Greenville , SC
Your mom was the life of the party at Senior Friendship Days at the Wilmington Island United Methodist Church. She will be missed!
- Charlotte Carpenter, Savannah, GA
This lovely lady was one of my mother's sisters. There were six girls in the family and they were sweet ladies who loved their family. They enjoyed being together for special times of fun and enjoyment. Both the six girls and four brothers enjoyed family from being an integral part of the Sparks family to rearing their own families. Aunt Cleo, we will all miss you and we'll continue to love the memories shared with you. God bless you and your family.
- N. Luree Bowen, Winder, GA
I am so sorry to hear about Cleo. She was a very special person. I first met her when I moved to Savannah in 2000. I joined the singing group named the Bells N Beau's. We spent many a wonderful day together singing and entertaining. One year at Christmas she even wore an elf outfit for a skit in our program. She worked very hard to bring joy to other people. She will be missed by all of us. We loved her.
- Judy Hutchinson, Savannah, Ga.
I am so sorry to hear about Cleo Cleo was a special person she always made you laugh we are going to miss her. But soon we will see her again in heaven Again I am sorry Hank Vaughn
- Cleo Olsen, Savannah, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
