Obituary of Madeline Ferrell Sparrow

Madeline Ferrell Sparrow, 89 of Hillsborough, NC, passed away on May 4, 2018. Madeline was born in Durham County on April 13, 1929 to Lelia Mangum Ferrell and John Green Ferrell. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Paul B. Sparrow Jr, brother, John R. Ferrell, sisters, Violet F. Chappell and Frances F. Reaves. She is survived by her sister and best friend Pansy F. Dodson. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, especially her niece, Sharon Reaves of New York, who has been like a daughter to her.

She worked in retail for 44 years at Andrews-Henniger in Chapel Hill and later at Belk’s in Durham. She retired as the Assistant Manager at Belk’s in Chapel Hill. During her business years she was President of the Triangle Better Business Bureau, President of the Chapel Hill Merchants Association (Merchant of the Year), President of the Altrusa Club (Altrusan of the Year). She also held positions on many boards in the Chapel Hill area including CCB, Carol Woods Retirement Community and was a champion of Mental Health issues affecting others.

She volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill and was affectionately known as the Brownie Lady because of all of the desserts she once baked for them weekly. Madeline also worked in Quality Control at the O.C.I.M. Thrift Store in Hillsborough.

She was active in University United Methodist Church for over 50 years, serving on their Administrative Board, teaching Sunday School, working with MYF, Chairing the Quiet Care Committee for 17 years and served as an Usher and Greeter for over 20 years.

A special thanks to the Monday Flowers Girls from University United Methodist Church, Nan Babcock, Mary McCoy and Marilyn Smith for their help, love and caring for Madeline. Also a special thanks to her niece, Brenda Gibson for taking care of her medical and legal needs . And to Dr. John Kizer at UNC and the entire UNC Health Care team that took care of her over the last year.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 9th at 3:00pm at University United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to University United Methodist Church for Quiet Care or to the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill.

Arrangements by Walkers Funeral Home, Chapel Hill.