Billye Jeanne Casteel Sparks

Billye Jeanne Casteel Sparks, 79, of Little Rock, departed this life on August 25, 2022.  She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Alma (Murphy) and J. Thomas “Tom” Casteel, formerly of Jacksonville, her husband, David Leon Sparks, formerly of Mabelvale, and siblings Lanny Lloyd, Eric Lloyd, Leon Miser, and Joyce Gates.  She is survived by her daughters, Shauna Hill of Little Rock, Traci Hill Willis and husband Tim of Maumelle, grandsons Hunter and Dustin Willis, and siblings Ina Veenhuis, Nina Lloyd, Rochelle Hanner, William Lloyd, Terry Lloyd, Zac Lloyd, Rita Burt, Jack Miser, and Sharon Kay Miser-Wheeler, as well as many extended family members and cherished friends.

She treasured her extended family, in particular cousins Geraldine “Jerry” Browning, Suzette and Russell Tyndell, and Sandra Overstreet (deceased), all of Texas; Larry Johnson, and Ann and Troy Barker, all of Missouri; and Johnny Casteel of Newport.

A lifelong Christian, she had tremendous knowledge of the Bible and could quote scripture on any topic, citing chapter and verse.  She was a member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ in Little Rock.  She and her late husband David were great supporters of church missions of Churches of Christ, and were very active members at Geyer Springs Church of Christ and Sandstone Drive Church of Christ over the years.

Billye Sparks spent her early childhood in Newport, Arkansas, before her family relocated to Jacksonville when she was nine years old.  Her childhood memories of riding horses, playing in the countryside, and raising her beloved collie were ones she held dear. A graduate of Jacksonville High School in 1961, where she was known as “Jeannie,” she was also known for her friendliness.  She remained in touch with high school friends and attended reunions as often as she could.

After high school, she went to work for Commercial National Bank, married, and moved to Little Rock, where she attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  She went on to work as a purchasing agent for Levi Strauss & Co., a position she thoroughly enjoyed. 

Billye obtained her real estate license in the early 1980s and embarked on a new career as a Realtor.  The end of her marriage during that time motivated her to become successful on her own as a single parent, and she did, becoming a Million Dollar Producer for Century 21.  She later met widower David Sparks through a church group and they married.  Sparks, a retired Little Rock Police Lieutenant, was then a real estate broker and land developer, and Billye transferred her real estate license to his business and enjoyed working alongside her husband.  After his death, she continued managing and expanding her real estate holdings and took great satisfaction in being a business owner.

After becoming a widow, she moved to Maumelle to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. She also valued her continued connection with stepson Layton Sparks and his wife Tiffiny, as they honored the memory of Layton’s father with loyalty and by facilitating many of Billye’s ongoing real estate deals. 

She possessed a quick wit, was enthusiastic about life, and was an eternal optimist.  She was a voracious reader and an avid fan of Arkansas Razorback football and basketball.  She enjoyed music and had a rich alto voice. She loved Dr. Pepper.

One of Billye’s favorite activities was traveling, and she always joked that she kept a bag nearby for quick packing.  Among her favorite destinations were Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee, the East Coast during the fall to see the foliage, New York City, Branson, Missouri, and multiple trips to Walt Disney World in Florida with her grandsons (on whom she happily doted)—just to name a few.  An amateur photographer, she captured and framed many of the locations she visited, especially unique trees and old barns.  She was always ready to see a Broadway show and was a regular attendee at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock, as well as traveling productions that came to town at Robinson Center. 

She will undoubtedly be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Special thanks go to nurses and staff at Fox Ridge Chenal Assisted Living and Presbyterian Village Healthcare for their outstanding care of Billye these past few years. The family also appreciates the medical team at Baptist Health Medical Center – Little Rock ICU, especially Dr. Patricia Ugwuh-Moss, Dr. David Jones, and Dr. Nathan Hill, as well as ICU nurses Kylie and Cheryl.

Pallbearers are Tim Willis, Hunter Willis, Dustin Willis, Blake Schluterman, Landon McKay, and Ethan Meadors.  Honorary pallbearers are Layton Sparks, Wanda Byrd Main, Concha Walker, Dianne Bivens, Retha and Ron Mathis, Cindy and Ron Wallace, and Dan Butler.

Memorial gifts may be made to Pleasant Valley Church of Christ at pvcc.org.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM, Monday, August 29, 2022 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, with funeral starting at 1:00 PM. Interment will be Forest Hills Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.--