Buford D. Sparks

Buford D. Sparks Jr., 76, died Monday, January 23, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Miss.

Born on February 28, 1947 in Columbus, Buford was the oldest of four children to Buford D. Sparks Sr. and Lovie Bryant Sparks. Along with his brothers and sisters, he attended Lee High School and First Baptist Church of Columbus.

His early adulthood included a career in construction, which came to an abrupt end when he suffered a traumatic brain injury on the job in 1989.

Buford was quiet and gentle unless you were discussing football, specifically his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide. He was a spirited fan, quick to offer his favorite greeting, “Roll Tide.”

Buford loved his family and his church, First Baptist Church of Reform, Ala. He lived in Reform for much of his adult life until he returned to Columbus to be closer to his family in 2012. He spent his final years in the  care of Trinity Assisted Living.

Buford was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James E. Sparks; and his brother-in-laws, Michael B. Taloney and Ron Mitchell.

He is survived by his siblings, Linda Mitchell Hancock (James) of Phoenix, AZ, Diane Taloney of Columbus, and Franklin H. Sparks (Tracy) of Wichita Falls, TX. Buford was loved by his nine nephews and nieces and seven great-nephews and great-nieces.

A service will be held to celebrate Buford’s life on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus. The family will receive visitors at 12:00 p.m. with the service to begin at 1:00 p.m. Burial at Memorial Gardens will follow at 2pm.