В Филадельфии скончалась 76-летняя диктор и координатор резидентур Джувинита Спарро, проработавшая в больнице Темпл 40 лет

Juanita Sparrow, a retired administrative secretary and residency coordinator at Temple University Hospital, died Friday, July 24. She was 76. She was born Dec. 13, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and earned admission to Wagner Junior High School, a highly selective school outside her neighborhood. In 1979, she joined the Department of Psychiatry at Temple University Hospital as an administrative secretary, beginning a 40-year career. Through dedication and perseverance, she assumed positions of increasing responsibility and eventually became residency coordinator. Her family said in a tribute that at a time when opportunities for Black students were limited, the achievement “reflected her exceptional academic ability and determination.” She was affectionately known as Nita, Neat-Neat and Aunt Neat and graduated from Simon Gratz High School. As a teenager, she held jobs at Chilton’s Book Printing Co., Spiegel and St. Christopher’s Hospital while taking courses at community college. An exceptional typist capable of typing more than 70 words per minute, she was determined to overdeliver in every task. After the death of her mother, she became a pillar of strength and support for her family. “A firm believer in Jesus Christ, Juanita’s faith guided her throughout every season of her life and was reflected in the way she loved and extended kindness to those that needed it most,” her family said. In 1999, she was honored with the Residency Coordinator Award in recognition of her outstanding service. Her family said she was the oil that kept the program running smoothly and that, to many physicians, residents, faculty and staff, she was far more than an administrative professional. “Many affectionately described her as the “heartbeat” of the department, always ready to be a listening ear and always greeting others with a warm smile,” her family said. In 1976, she welcomed a son whom she affectionately called son or “Charlie Brown”. In 1983, she married Terry Orlando Sparrow and together they welcomed a daughter, lovingly known as “Mooka Girl.” “As a mother, Juanita sacrificed tirelessly to provide for her children, encouraged them, and celebrated their accomplishments as her own,” her family said. She enjoyed cooking, with her potato salad and shrimp jambalaya becoming family favorites. She also enjoyed writing poetry, with several of her poems published in periodicals, and hosting family celebrations. Her family said she had once dreamed of becoming an English teacher. “Juanita devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family, her career, her friends, and everyone who was fortunate enough to know her,” her family said in a tribute. “Her greatest legacy rests in the countless lives she touched through her encouragement and selfless nature.” She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Candace Elizabeth Harrell, and brothers Karl Harrell, Richard Harrell, Julius Harrell and Sylvester Harrell. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Vernest Rikkyme Brooks and Shelby Lindsae Sparrow; grandchildren, Carter James Chapman and Lindsae Ann Chapman; bonus grandson, Darrell Chapman Jr.; siblings, Diana Harrell, Albert Harrell, Thomas Harrell and Larry Harrell; sisters-in-law, Carmella Lloyd Harrell, Juanita Tyler, Phyllis Sparrow, Shelby Copeland and Mona Johnson, and other family members and friends. Services were held Saturday, Aug. 8, at Mount Ephraim Baptist Church. Ervina White Beauford Funeral Services handled the arrangements. Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here