Barbara Ellen Blackwell

Barbara Ellen (Sparks)Blackwell, age 86, passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of February 21st, 2025 surrounded by loving family and expert hospice care from chronic heart failure.

Born in Akron Ohio 1938 to Anne K. (O’Laughlin)Sparks and Robert Glen Sparks, she was a lifelong resident of Akron.

A graduate of Garfield High School , she worked in retail cosmetics and fragrance for many years throughout the greater Summit county area, and was also a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Akron in where she was a member of the choir for many years.

In February of 1975, she began a long and fulfilling life of sobriety through the doors of AA, in where thru unity, fellowship and service, she touched many lives locally and throughout the country with her sobriety. This culminated with 50 years of sobriety total on February 19th of this year of experience, strength and hope.

Barbara loved art, helping others, inspiring people and bringing out the best in them. She used cosmetics as her medium for her work at malls, in where she drew from scratch customers portraits.

Baking was an art for her as well, as throughout the years her handcrafted pies and cakes were the thing of legend-She had made her own signature on the crusts of her pies even!

Her home was often referred to as “the Christmas house” because of her talent of display and when multitudes friends and family came, it left indelible memories on everyone.

She was over the decades a very devoted animal lover , saving many a stray cat or dog in her very own creative ways which were instantaneously brainstormed at the exact time of finding the animal in the moment of need. Dozens of strays ended up with forever homes as a result of her taking them to her place of work, or neighbors, in where bragging rights by of these new proud owners stories of their pets went on throughout the years.

For years, her nickname “Mother Sparkle” had multiple meanings as it was her maiden name, her dry , hysterical sense of humor, and how she made many people throughout her life feel very special .

Preceded in death by many family members and friends, including her recently deceased sister , Sally Limosono, she is survived by her son David.

Per her wishes, there are no services and cremation has taken place.

Special appreciation is given to Crossroads Hospice Care, for their all round professional service care and support.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Barbara would love to know that donations to the local non charity animal shelter of your choice would be your focus.