Crystal Elise Papas

Crystal Elise Papas of Columbia, South Carolina passed away peacefully in her home on December 26th, 2025. Crystal fought a long and courageous battle with cancer until she was called home to Heaven. Services will be held Tuesday, December 30th at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home at 5400 Bush River Road. Viewing will be held at 2 PM followed by a short service at 3 PM. Friends and family are invited to join a celebration of Crystal’s life at Zorba’s Greek Restaurant at 6169 St. Andrews Rd. following the service.


Crystal was born to her father, Dennis Sparks, and her late mother, Margie Yates. She attended Irmo High School and after graduation went into service industry and worked for various hotels and restaurants. Crystal grew up with a love for music that stayed with her for the entirety of her life. Since she was a child and through her adulthood, she frequented concerts as much as possible and through music she met her husband, and father of her daughters, Sandy Papas.


Crystal had the kindest, most gentle soul. She lit up every room she walked into. All of her daughters’ friends, as well as her coworkers, didn’t just call her by her given name- she was Aunt Crystal, Crystalmommy, or Mama. She loved unconditionally and did not judge. She was a free spirit and what many would call a “new age hippie.” Her spirit lives on through her friends, family, every life she has touched, and all the music she loved.


Crystal is survived by so many who love and miss her dearly. She is survived by her daughters, Nicolette “Dia” Papas and Georgia Papas; father, Dennis Sparks and stepmother Judy Sparks; brother, Michael Gordon; sister, Michele Gordon and her son Abel Huber, Crystal’s nephew; the father of her children and one of her oldest and dearest friends, Simeon “Sandy” Papas; cousin, Haley Massey and Haley’s children, Lincoln and Carmen Elise, who was named for Crystal Elise. Her sister from another mister, April Sutherland, and her children Savannah, Hunter, and Brooke. And her dear friends such as Debbie Resendiz and Rosie Henderson. The list could go on and it speaks volumes to how many lives she touched and how deeply.



In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to your favorite charity or to a cancer research foundation. We also ask that you buy those concert tickets you’ve been wondering if you should go ahead and get. Crystal would want you to get those tickets, jam out, and keep on rocking in the free world. The family encourages everyone to wear your favorite band T-shirt, tie-dye, or her favorite color purple. Anything that makes everyone comfortable, otherwise. The family wants to continue to spread the love that Crystal showed everyone she encountered. She will be forever loved and truly missed.