Virginia Lou Sparks

Virginia Lou was the seventh child of Robert Lee Sparks and Ebber Sloan Bostic, born in Cliffside on 3 October 1930. She graduated from Cliffside High School in 1951. After graduation, Virginia (Jink) was employed at Cone Mills in Cliffside from June 1952 until August 1955.

Jink married James Carl (J. C.) Godfrey on 23 August 1955 in Gaffney, South Carolina. After their marriage the couple moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where J. C. was employed by G & H Transit Company. Their first child Karla Rae, was bom on 9 December 1959. She was chosen by J. C. and Jink and became theirs by adoption on 15 March 1960. Jimmy Lee, their son, was bom 4 October 1962 and became theirs by adoption on 14 December 1962 Jennifer Denise (Jenny), a third child, was bom to Jink and J. C. at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte on 25 June 1970.

Until August 1972 Jink was a housewife and mother. At that time she began working at Denny’s Restaurant as a hostess and waitress where she remained until August 1980. In September 1980 she became employed at Paw Creek Church of God Christian Academy as a dietitian until August 1983. She was dietitian at the Paw Creek Christian Day Care from August 1983 until April 1988 when she began work in the nursery. She retired in October 1992.

Jink’s hobbies include sewing, crocheting, and cross-stitch. She enjoys caring for her grandchildren and has time for spoiling.

James Carl (J. C.) Godfrey was bom in Spindale, NC, the son of James Monroe and Etta Clyde Huffstickler. J C attended the Spindale schools and served in the US Army from October 1950 until December 1952. At that time he became a driver for G & H Transit Company in Charlotte, NC. In 1972 the company was sold to A G Boone Company and J. C. continued to drive an eighteen wheeler for the company until he retired on 31 August 1990.

Some of the hobbies J. C. enjoys are fishing, hunting, golf, and art. Several years back he completed a model of the 24 Reservoir residence of the Sparks.

Jink and J. C. are members of the Paw Creek Church of God of Charlotte.

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