Sarah Lea "Sally" Sparks

Sarah “Sally” Lea Sparks, 81 of Abilene, passed away on April 13, 2023. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 7th at 3:00pm at St. James Methodist Church, Abilene. Attendees are encouraged to celebrate Sally’s life by wearing her favorite color - blue!  If you are unable to attend, the service will be streamed through the following link https://youtube.com/@st.jamesumcabilenetx1968

Sally was born on December 28, 1941 in Goodland, Kansas to Timothy Arthur and Edythe Alice Sherrod. While Sally loved the simple, animal-filled, hard working farm life, she also sought adventure outside of her tiny town. On August 21, 1960, three months after graduating high school, she married Larry Dale Sparks who was enlisted in the US Air Force. Larry’s assignments relocated Sally and their growing family (children, Cynthia and Elton) to several USAF bases in the United States, Spain, and Germany. Being stationed overseas afforded them opportunities to experience nearby countries as well. Beloved cities included London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris. Sally enjoyed many years of being a full-time mother and military wife. She also earned her Teacher Aide Certificate and worked at several base child care centers. In 1980, they were stationed at Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX.  Following Larry’s retirement in 1984, they bought land and dreamed of their someday home. Fourteen years later, they were able to relocate and renovate a dilapidated 1920’s house into that dream home. After acquiring essential printing and mail processing skills at the West Texas Chamber of Commerce and completing an Office Machines Course, Sally opened Sally’s Printing and Mail Service in 1987 and ran the business until her retirement in 2005. As she ventured through entrepreneurship, she also helped raise her two grandchildren, Garolyn and Zachary. Retirement allowed Sally to take life a little slower (but not too slow!) as she traveled regularly, soaked up time with great grandchildren, volunteered, enjoyed new activities, and played countless games of Mexican Train with family and friends.

Sally found delight in activities as vast as the Texas sky; however, her native Kansas roots also ran deep as she proudly collected and displayed all types of sunflowers and windmills. She reveled in trips to the theater to enjoy plays, musicals, and other productions. Her love of the outdoors was evident throughout her life as she enjoyed gardening, adventuring with two generations in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, driving motorcycles, and traveling to new places any chance she could. When she wasn’t “out galavanting the world”, she loved her large farmhouse kitchen where she cooked and baked all the delicious foods her family and friends were eager to enjoy. Sally had a very special place in her heart for the rescue dogs and cats she re-homed into beloved farm pets. She was passionate about serving others and volunteered at multiple places, most notably Meals on Wheels for eleven years and her church’s sewing group. She was a member of St. James Methodist Church and a former member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, son Elton Sparks, sister Carolyn Holmes, great granddaughter Baby Girl Sparks, niece Jacqueline Carithers, and nephew Greg Holmes. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Larry Sparks of Abilene; daughter Cynthia Sparks of Abilene; granddaughter Garolyn Jergins and husband Joshua of Abilene; grandson Zachary Sparks and wife Dee of Haskell, Oklahoma; great grandchildren Jayde Sparks, Jonathon Sparks, Cheyenne Jergins, Kal-El Jergins, Cordell Jergins, Paisley Jergins, Josiah, Bree, & Lilyan; and nieces Vickie Stephens of Wilber, Washington and Julie Hill of Spokane, Washington. She also had several cherished relatives from Larry’s extended family.

In lieu of flowers and as an homage to Sally’s varied interests, memorials may be made in her name to: Abilene Meals on Wheels, All Kind Animal Initiative (Abilene Animal Shelter), Texas Trails Boy Scouts of America, or Ragtown Gospel Theatre (Post, TX). Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com .