Lennis Sparks Walvoort

Lennis Sparks Walvoort, age 83, of Alcoa, passed away August 9, 2016. She was born and raised in Cades Cove, TN. Lennis and her husband, George L. Walvoort, retired to Maryville in 1985. She was an active member of Broadway Methodist Church in Maryville. She was also a member of the Cancer Support Group, Hope For Today, and spent 25 years delivering meals to shut-in members in the community through Meals on Wheels for Blount County Community Action Group, until she was 80 years of age. Lennis was an avid bowler in several leagues at Crest Lanes in Maryville, where she had many dear friends. Lennis was preceded in death by son Douglas Lyle Walvoort; parents Asa and Amy Burchfield Sparks; brother Luke Sparks; brother-in-law Rex Andes; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Glen and Nancy Walvoort; sister-in-law Lillian Walvoort. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years; son Dale Alan Walvoort of Moneta, VA; grandson Wayne Lyle Walvoort of Destin, FL; grandson Clayton Alan Walvoort, wife Katie and son Wyatt Alan of Heyworth, IL; grandson Asa Stanley Walvoort and granddaughter Kayte Josephine Walvoort of Moneta, VA; Brothers and sisters-in-law: Leon and Johnnie Sparks of Townsend; Leslie and Annie Sue Sparks of Loudon; Leland and Edna Sparks of Loudon; Larry and Katie Sparks of Loudon; Lamon and Gaile Sparks of Ider, AL; Sisters and brothers-in-law: Lenore Andes of Knoxville; Lucille and Bob Britton of Pigeon Forge; LaVerne and Bennie McCarter of Sevierville; Linda and Mike Denton of Knoxville; Lois Kaye and Charles Russell of Maryville; Robert Walvoort of Wisconsin; three generations of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank all family and friends and the staff at Morningview Transitional Care Center whom have shown so much love and kindness during Lennis' battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to find a cure for Alzheimer's via The Pat Summit Foundation at 520 W Summit Hill Dr. Suite 1101 Knoxville, TN 37902 or www.patsummit.org. Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Smith West Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Laura R. Rasor officiating. Interment will be on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Grandview Cemetery. Please meet at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. for the funeral procession. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lennis Sparks Walvoort please visit our Sympathy Store.