Juana Maria Sparks

     Juana Maria Sparks, 86 years old passed peacefully on January 21, 2025 surrounded by family.  

     Born in Madrid, she was the daughter of Juan Eguiluz Riaño and Etelvina Vaquera Lafuente. She received her education in Sevilla, Spain, and studied English in England. She also completed one year of medical school at the University of Sevilla. Juana met her husband, Harold L. Sparks in 1961, who was an Airman First Class in the United State Air Force and they were married in Sevilla in 1964.

     In 1958, she started working for the U.S.A.F. as an interpreter on the San Pablo Air Base. Later, she became the secretary for the Transportation Office at the air base in Morón. Over 26 years, the military sent them worldwide and they lived in New Mexico, Spain, New Jersey, Washington, Italy, Germany, Alaska, and Dover, Delaware where they finally settled and retired.  She retired from Civil Service at Dover. A.F.B in 2002 after working in various offices in Elmendorf A.F.B., Alaska and Dover A.F.B.  

     Juani, as she liked to be called, was a devout Catholic and a member of Holy Cross. She taught Sunday school for several years around the world and was part of the ladies group that took care of the altar linens for the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Dover Air Force Base. She was passionate about cooking for her family and anyone who came to her house would enjoy delicious meals and never leave hungry.  She shared her love for Spanish culture with everyone. She reveled in the successes of her grandchildren.

     She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years Harold; her daughters Cristina Sparks-Early and Laura Sparks Wright; two sons-in-law, Ryan Early and Paul Wright whom she loved as her own children; and her beloved grandchildren: Ben, Drew and Eva Early and James and Sam Wright; her brother Francisco (Paco) Eguiluz and nephew Luis in Madrid, Spain, and her Goddaughter Reyes Antúnez Nuñez and her husband Antonio, and Godsons Antonio Carlos and Alberto in Sevilla. On her husband’s side, she is survived by her sisters-in-law Linda (Les) Daniels and Pauline Fraley and brother-in-law Johnnie “Jay” Sparks (Caroline). 

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901.  A private ceremony will be held for the interment of ashes at the V.A. cemetery in Bear, Delaware. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Juani’s honor, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.   

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