Pat Sparkman Collins

Pat Sparkman Collins, 49, of Valdese Ave., Morganton, NC, went home to be with Her Lord and Savior on Monday, January 9, 2006 at Grace Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Whiteville, NC on June 7, 1956, she was a daughter of Doris Ann Smith Sparkman and the late Marion Howard Sparkman. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Eddie Sparkman. Pat was a member of the first graduating class of Freedom High School, after which she obtained an associate degree in horticulture from Western Piedmont Community College. She worked at Foothills Correctional Center for eleven years, and was a member of Conley Road Pentecostal Holiness Church.

A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, Pat is survived by her husband, Al Collins Jr. of the home; children, Tre Pritchard and wife, Kim, of Morganton, Travis Pritchard and wife, Melanie, of Valdese, NC; her mother, Doris Anne Sparkman of Morganton; a brother, Lemuel H. Sparkman and wife, Kathy, of Morganton; a grandson, Elijah Pritchard; a niece, Christine Neimier; mother and father-in-law, Pat and Al Collins Sr. of Connelly Springs and 2 beloved pets, Moe and Zoie.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 12, 2006 at Conley Road Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Bill Rice officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour.