Obituary of Martha Lou Sparks

Martha Lou Sparks, 86, of Lamar, MO passed away on Sunday January 7, 2024. She was born in El Dorado Springs, MO to Roy and Gladys (McCurdy) Thompson. She grew up in El Dorado Springs and married Stephen Sparks in Neveda, MO on May 9, 1953. Martha was an avid gardener and was proud of her vegetable garden and of her flower garden, especially her prize rose bush which still provides flowers every year. She liked to watch baseball, but her favorite sport was bowling. She would take every opportunity she had to bowl and could be found alone and on teams bowling in Lamar, Lockwood, Stockton, and Nevada. Above everything else, her greatest joy was her family. She doted on her grandchildren, and nothing made her happier than having them around. Her children will tell you that she had a quick wit. You couldn’t be in a bad mood in a room with her for five minutes without her changing it. She is survived by her children Richard Sparks of Lamar, MO, Rhonda (Calivan) Trent of Wichita Falls, TX, Mark Sparks of Nevada, MO, Lewis Sparks of Lamar, MO, David (Cara) Sparks of Greenfield, MO, May (Jr) Fleetwood of Aurora, MO, and Kay Sparks of Lamar, MO; and by her sister Alice Meek of Pittsburg, KS. She is also survived by her grandsons Chance Sparks, Wade Fleetwood, Jacob Fleetwood, Eric Sparks, Steven Head, Steven Moore, Bobby Moore, Kenny Hahn, Steven Ross and Willis Trent; granddaughters Allysa Harrenstein, Paige Sparks, Daniel Sparks, Destiny Sparks, Amanda Head, Nancy McGrew, Charlene, Cathy Trent, Paula Black, and Connie Trent; and by many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Mary Moore, son Pat Larkie, granddaughter Peggy Kinsley and siblings William Thompson, James Thompson, and Dixie Sparks. If you would like to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate assistance with final expenses. A funeral service will be held on Thursday January 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Konantz Warden Funeral Home.