Earl Dean Sparkman

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Earl Dean Sparkman, 68, went to be with his Lord, Wednesday, April 1, 2009. He was born Jan. 9, 1941, in Monette to the late William and Delila Sparkman. He was a retired farmer. Mr. Sparkman was a deacon and trustee of the Monette Assembly of God Church and was a loving father, grandfather, brother. He enjoyed going to church, fishing, hunting and life and will be missed by his grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Lorine Sparkman of the home; five sons, Garey Sparkman, Jerry Sparkman and Danny Sparkman, all of Monette, Lloyd Sparkman of Paragould and Jamie Sparkman of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; a brother and his wife, Richard and Marion Sparkman of Monette; four sisters, Betty Smithee and husband Mike of Lake City, Terrie Cook and husband Wes of Tulsa, Okla., Helen Williams and husband Les of Monette and Joyce Sparkman of Lake City; his stepmother, Bertha Sparkman of Monette; three stepsons, Ronnie Nance of Watervliot, Mich., Randy Nance and Michael Nance, both of Manila; a stepdaughter and husband, Sherry and Jim Watson of St. Joe, Mich.; 26 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Donald Charles Sparkman and Jimmy Dale Sparkman, and a sister, Bobbie Henderson.

A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. at the Monette Assembly of God Church with Rev. Terry Miller and Rev. Tom Wellman officiating. Burial was in Monette Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home of Monette.

Visitation was Friday, April 3, from 6-8 p.m. at the Gregg Funeral Home in Monette.

Honored to serve as pallbearers were Jackie Sparkman, Ricky Sparkman, Jerry Lee Sparkman, Michael A. Smithee, Jonathan Smithee and Roger Bibb. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Nance, Mark Smithee, Lowell Polston, Bryan Polston, Men's Sunday School Class at Monette Assembly of God.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Sparkman family at www.greggfunerals.com.