Story and photo by Rick Mehaffey

Sparky Moredock is now a regular rider at Beaches Dial-A-Ride, the organization that provides rides to appointments for seniors and the disabled, but she previously served as a caregiver herself, driving friends and neighbors to grocery stores and doctor’s offices whenever needed. But after she tripped and took a fall two years that sidelined her, she now takes advantage of the non-profit’s service.

“I knew Dial-A-Ride existed before but I never paid attention to it,” she says. But after her fall, one of the drivers gave her a DAR card and encouraged her to call when she needed a ride. “Dial-A-Ride is fabulous, one of the greatest things to happen at the Beaches,” she says. “The drivers are very prompt, very courteous. If they say they will be here to pick me up at quarter to four, they will be here at or before a quarter to four. When they see me coming with the walker, they are instantly out of the vehicle to assist me.”

Sparky has always been a woman in motion her entire 93 years.  A native of Orlando, she graduated from Florida State University and married Bill Moredock, a career Navy man who rose to the rank of Commodore. The couple moved 22 times during his distinguished career, and although they never had a “hometown,” Sparky always strived to become active in their new community and church, teaching school, and volunteering with the PTA. She taught school for 18 years.

The Moredocks had three tour of duties in Newport, Rhode Island, Sparky’s favorite place to live during her time as a Navy wife and mother of four. It was a tranquil Navy community back in the 1950s and 60s, and she recalled seeing Jackie Kennedy around town as the Kennedys, who were married in Newport, maintained a home there from the time JFK was a Congressman.

When Bill was promoted to Commodore and transferred to Mayport in 1975, Sparky says she had no clue where Mayport was located. But she soon made Jacksonville her home and was instrumental in helping organize the pre-school at Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach. 
The secret to her longevity is to “stay busy and have fun.” Along with swimming, walking and volunteering, she’s performed on stage at the Follies at the Fleet Landing senior living center.

As for her nickname, she’s sworn to secrecy not to reveal how she was tagged with the moniker of Sparky. Even Bill never knew the origin of how she got the name.