SISTER MARY ROSELLA (Anita Catherine) SPARKS, SAC was born to Frederick and Rosina Carolina Kurtzman Sparks on August 26, 1923 in Mansfield, Ohio, the second of three children. She died on October 10, 2016 at St. Mary’s Convent in Huntington, WV at the age 93 following a long illness. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her brother, Rev. Thomas Sparks and her sister, Sister M. Terese (Rosemary Mae) Sparks, who was also a Pallottine Missionary Sister and spent her entire religious life in Belize, Central America. Sister Rosella, following in her sister’s footsteps, entered the Pallottine Missionary Sisters in Belize, Central America in 1941. She made her first vows on May 31, 1944. She obtained a Teaching Diploma from Sedgley Park Training College in Manchester, England in 1955 and went on to Manchester University where she received her B.A and MA degrees in Hon. Geography in 1965. She felt privileged to serve in Belize as a Missionary Sister and educator for more than 30 years among the Belizean people who endeared themselves to her. Sister Rosella returned to the United States in 1977 where she served as teacher and principal at St. Mary of the Mills Elementary School and as teacher and vice principal at Pallotti High School both in Laurel, MD. She also served at the Pallottine Renewal Center in Florissant, MO while attending Theology classes at Paul VI Institute. Sister joined the Pastoral Care Staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, WV in 1988. After she completed her CPE training at Good Samaritan Hospital and Cabell Huntington Hospital she was certified as a chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Sister Rosella was highly respected by both staff and patients. During her years as a chaplain she started a Grief Support Group for families of patients who died at St. Mary’s. Sister remained active in this ministry until 2013 and continued to visit patients upon request even after retirement. During her time in Huntington she served on the Boards of Directors for both St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon, WV and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, WV. She also served as organist for the hospital chapel and shared her creative talents by decorating the chapel at St. Mary’s for special occasions. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 13, 2016, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. in the Foyer outside the main Hospital Chapel on 1st floor of the East Wing at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, WV. Visitation will close with Mass in the Hospital Chapel at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. until time for the funeral. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 in the Chapel at St. Mary's Medical Center by Fr. Gideon Olugbami. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery, in Huntington, West Virginia. Contributions can be made to the charity of your choice lieu of flowers. Reger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.