MERRY SPARROW Merry Jean Sparrow, 69, of Washington, DC, died, Saturday September 27, 2008 at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. She was born December 25, 1939 in Covington, the 13 th child of the late Rev. & Mrs. James Royal Sparrow. Merry graduated with Honors from Watson High School where she was crowned the Queen of May Day and was a Cheerleader for the Watson Hornets. Her Bachelor of Science Degree was received from the Bennett College at Greensboro, NC and her Master of Science Degree was received from the University of Virginia in Supervision and Administration. She was a Teacher at Charles Yung Elementary; Giddings Elementary and Catholic Charities Schools in Washington, DC from which she retired. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, James Royal Sparrow, Jr. and Robert Edward Sparrow; two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Sparrow and Cora Lydia VanHook. Surviving are five sisters, and three brothers, Ruby Wells of Washington, DC; Susie Butler and her husband, Wendell of Roanoke; Josephine Gaither of Picayune, MS; Joseph Sparrow and his wife, Marvelen of Roanoke; Altha Dowe of Roanoke; Bessie Sparrow of Washington, DC; John Sparrow of Washington, DC; Cleveland Sparrow and his wife Joyce of Silver Spring, MD; Twenty Sever nieces and nephews and a dear friends Carol Crews of Silver Springs, MD and many other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, October 4, 2008 in the Pine Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Simmons officiating. The interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects at Arritt Funeral Home. The family will receive their friends one hour prior to service time at the Pine Street Baptist Church.