Mrs. Brenda Sparks Cheely, 71, of Meldrim, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at her home after a short, yet courageous battle with Mucinous Adenocarcinoma.

Brenda was born on March 24, 1951 to William F. and Edith Sparks in Savannah, Georgia.  She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Charles R. Cheely, Sr.; son, Charles R. Cheely, Jr. (Jessica); daughter, Teresa A. Stimer (Steve); niece, Patricia Wilson and Nanny's kids, Shena Lackman, Christina Rodriguez (Jr. Rodriguez), Selena Rodriguez, and Brandon Hernandez; grandchildren, Allan Moore, Chase Stafford, Thomas Cheely, and Skyla Cheely; brothers, Billy Sparks and Gerald Sparks; sisters, Rita Dahlquist, Judy Waller, and Joyce Wilson as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, a son, William Sparks, a sister, Mary Rangel; and a special niece, Diane Rodriguez.  She was a homemaker for the majority of her life but was a caregiver to her mother for seven years.  She enjoyed watching animal shows on TV, game shows such as The Price is Right, and playing Bingo.  Her family was the most important thing in her life.

The visitation will be on Monday, January 2, 2023 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  The celebration of Brenda's life will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.  Brenda's request was for her ashes to be spread in a creek located between Cherokee, North Carolina and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be given to St. Jude Children's Research (stjude.org) or to the Ronald McDonald House (rmhc.org)

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes- WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL – 901 West Highway 80 – Pooler, GA (912) 748-2444