Barbara Elaine Moss

December 31, 1946 - July 4, 2020

Barbara Elaine Sparks Moss, age 73 of Maryville, passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2020 surrounded by her family. She had vigorously and courageously fought a two-year battle with cancer. Originally from Atlanta, GA, she was retired from Maryville College. Barbara married her sweetheart in 1968, a marriage that would last fifty-two years. She was active in her church, teaching children’s Sunday School and serving on various committees. She was a health room volunteer at Fort Craig and John Sevier Schools and coordinated their Reading is Fundamental programs. Active in Junior Service League, she performed in several Dogwood Follies to raise funds for Toys for Tots. Barbara was a Cub Scout den mother and a team mother at Maryville Little League for several seasons. But her most cherished role was simply being “Granny B” to her six grandchildren. Her whole life centered around her grandkids and she loved her place in their lives. Barbara was talented in many areas, two of which were writing poetry and working crossword puzzles in ink. She wrote each unborn grandchild a personalized poem that captured her excited anticipation of their arrival. She wrote an epic poem entitled Ode to Fayerweather following the tragic fire that destroyed Fayerweather Hall on Maryville College campus in 1999. She is preceded in death by parents, Wille Fred Sparks Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Wallace Sparks. She is survived by husband, Dean; sons, Scott and wife, Erin, David and wife, Tosha; grandchildren, Brady, Reagan, Garrett, Kynzee, Kylee, Landon; brothers, Jack Elrod and wife, Cherie Elrod, Willie Fred Sparks Jr. and wife, Sharon Sparks. Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 PM, Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Maryville First United Methodist Church sanctuary with Reverend Jonathon Jonas, senior pastor, officiating. Following the church funeral, a brief graveside service will be held at Maryville College Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 and church guidelines, guest are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Barbara Moss to The Hospice Promise Foundation, 4435 Valley View Rd., Suite 104, Knoxville, TN 37917 or online via PayPal at lhcgroup.com/foundation/. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.