Mildred Mavorine Sparks

Mildred Mavorine, born on 25 November 1928, was the sixth child of Robert Lee Sparks and Ebber Sloan Bostic. She attended the Cliffside Public Schools and graduated from Cliffside High School in 1947. Mavorine was employed at the Cone Mill in Cliffside after her graduation and also attended Gardner-Webb College where she received her secretarial certificate in 1953.

Mavorine was married to Jack Jenkins on 30 April 1955 at the Cliffside Baptist parsonage by Rev. Tom S. Lawrence. She continued working at Cone Mills after her marriage until 1960 when their first son, Stephen Craig Jenkins, was born on 5 May 1960. Their second son, Tracy Mack Jenkins, was born on 18 September 1961.

In 1962 Mavorine was employed by Tanner Companies in Rutherfordton, NC, where she remained until her retirement in 1989. After her retirement Mavorine continues to work with her sewing skills by doing alterations for local department stores and sewing for friends.

Mavorine always had a special love for children, and after rearing her own two sons she became involved with foster care and served as a foster parent from 1986-1989. Some of the children under her care are still frequent visitors in her home. In addition to her other activities, Mavorine has been a regular sitter for two of her grandchildren while their parents worked.

Jack Jenkins was born on 6 September 1925 in Forest City, NC to Mack Jenkins and Mamie Hardin. He graduated from Cool Springs High School in 1945 and attended Gardner-Webb College for one year. He was employed by Reeves Brothers in Rutherfordton, NC. Jack coached Little League football, basketball, and softball. He died on 25 September 1986 and is buried at Sunset Memorial Park in Forest City, NC.

Mavorine resides in Spindale, NC and is a member of Spencer Baptist Church. She is a member of the Senior Citizens group at the church and has enjoyed traveling with them to various places.

From “Some of the Ancestors and Descendents of Robert Lee Sparks and Ebber Sloan Bostic” by Jimmy Louis Sparks, 1999