Kathleen Sparks, 80

Kathleen Wilma Sparks, 80 years, passed to heaven on Jan. 22, 2012 at her home in Ava, Mo.

Kathleen was born March 18, 1931 in Huntsville, Ark., to Amos Leander and Naomi Aileen (Davis) McCoy, the eldest of seven children.

Kathleen was a resident of the Ava community for 50 years. She co-owned and operated Sparks Dry Goods Store on the Ava square for many years. Kathleen loved meeting and taking care of the people at the store. She was a member of the Ava General Baptist Church.

On June 27, 1960 Kathleen and Carl W. Sparks were united in marriage in Huntsville, Ark., and to this union three children were born.

She enjoyed embroidering quilts and teasing her friends and family. She had a keen mind and sharp wit. Kathleen adored her children and grandchildren. She loved going to church when she was able.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Kathy Stewart, her husband, Carl Sparks and a sister, Glenna Pettz.

Kathleen is survived by two children and their spouses, Linda and Bryan Hardy, Nixa, Mo., and James and Elizabeth Sparks, Ozark, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Jennifer and Susan Hardy, Kristopher, Alex and Devin Stewart, Timothy, Katie, Sarah and Rebecca Sparks; three brothers, Dalton McCoy, Joe McCoy and Duane McCoy, and two sisters, Jean Hill and Kay Usrey, all of Arkansas; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Kathleen will be Thursday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo., with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, from 1 p.m. to service time in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn. Memorials may be made to Ava General Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.