Debra Jane Sparks, age 70, of Estill County peacefully passed away in her sleep on November 4th, 2026. Infamous for being habitually late for most of the events in her life, it's with great sadness and irony that we announce that she has departed early.

Born on October 9th, 1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the daughter of her late parents Jesse Hartwell Stone and Ann Liza Stevens Tipton. Living the majority of her life in Irvine, KY, she graduated from the Estill County High School in 1975 and obtained her associates degree from the Bluegrass Community Technical College. Debra worked for Apollo Oil, Electronic Data Systems, as well as many places in Irvine such as Mike Moreland’s Office, Donnie Watson’s Office, Carhartt, and ShopWise.

Known for her light-hearted and goofy demeanor, Debra has often been described as “full of life”. She was an avid crafter (especially during the twilight hours), typically using holidays to explore her creative side whether it be making wreaths, building a Christmas village, or going all-out with Halloween costumes (is it not normal to have large amounts of black paint left in your hair the week following Halloween?). If that didn't draw enough attention, she would try to top herself by singing and dancing as loud as she could during car rides around town, just to laugh at the idea of embarrassing her kids and their friends. She was a friend to many, even offering a helping hand when she wasn't quite up for it. In her later years, she became affectionately known by anyone under the current age of 27 as “Na-Na”.

She is survived by her children, Deanna Winburn, Jesse Sparks, and Cory Sparks; her siblings, Richard Stone and Maggie Snowden Banks; her step-siblings Connie Melear and Sue T. Collins; her five grandchildren Courtney Carroll, Jaden Walters, Isabella Witt, Grayson Sparks, and Isla Sparks, two great-grandchildren Paislee Decker and Bobbi Jayne Gould; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Janice Cooper and her brother Stephen Stone.

Services will be held at Lewis Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00pm, officiated by Robert “Skip” Johnson.

Visitation will be held between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on the same date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to her granddaughters, Jaden Walters and Isabella Witt.