Community mourning beloved Louisa attorney

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

Nelson Theodore Sparks, 79, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Three Rivers Medical Center. 

Sparks proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era.

After his service he decided to study law and after graduating, served as assistant county attorney in Pike County, KY. He later decided to move back to his hometown of Louisa, and opened up his own firm where he served the people of Louisa for decades.

As well as his private firm, he served as Lawrence County attorney for two terms, school board attorney for the Lawrence County Board of Education and jail board attorney for Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. 

The BSRDC made the following comments paying tribute to Sparks.

“We mourn the passing of Nelson Sparks, a longtime attorney and friend of the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. Thank you for your many years of service and dedication. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” Stated the in the tribute and also thanking him for his dedicated service, guidance, and unwavering support to the BSRDC. “Your commitment wisdom and friendship made a lasting impact on our facility and everyone who had the privilege of working with you.”

Nelson not only enjoyed his work, but he also was a lover of good food, a collector of fountain pens, and found joy in whittling. 

He was born May 26, 1947, in Louisa, the son of the late Morton and the late Easter Butler Sparks. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by a brother, Dr. James E. Sparks; and an aunt, Eileen Butler.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Barbara Sparks; a niece, Kristen Sparks Kantor; and a nephew, Stuart Preston Sparks. 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa, with Bro. Chris Wilson officiating. Final resting place was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Louisa.