Sally Sprague

Sally Biles Sprague, age 72, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012, at her home in Fairway, Kan., in the presence of the family she lovedóher husband, three children and little dog Molly. Sally was born on March 8, 1940, in Kansas City, Mo., and was adopted two months later by Ned and Eustis Biles (deceased) of St. Joseph, Mo., where she grew up and was married, on February 14,1961, to Hugh Almeron Sprague III. She was a graduate of Barstow School, Kansas City, and of Pine Manor College, Wellesley, Mass. She was never one to sit quietly letting others do the hard work, serving the State of Missouri, the University of Missouri and the communities where she lived. She never shyed away from challenges, and the greater the challenge the more she was determined to get the job done, whether it was planning activities at the Missouri Governorís Mansion, entertaining guests at the University Presidentís House in Columbia, Mo., or over-seeing the conservation of the First Ladies of Missouri Inaugural Ball Gowns for the Cole County Historical Society. Although history was her love, she felt her service on various boards and projects gave her a balanced life. She directed her husbandís congressional campaign in 1970, volunteered for the Rape and Crisis Abuse Center in Jefferson City, and was a life member the Capital Region Medical Center Foundation in Jefferson City, where she assisted in the merger of two hospital auxiliaries. However she always seemed to return to her love of history, serving on the board of the Friends of the Missouri State Archives, the River Rendezvous Arts and Heritage Festival in Jefferson City, and as a volunteer with the Artists Along the Katy Trail project. But it was in 2001 that Sally took on the most creative and challenging of her projectsóthat of visualizing and planning a ìlegacy monumentî on the Capitol grounds in Jefferson City to honor the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. She contacted her friend, Sabra Tull Meyer, a sculptor from Columbia, Mo., and under the sponsorship of the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission, they began a seven year project of design and fundraising, culminating in heroic-sized bronze statues, dedicated in 2008, which today grace the hillside between the Governorís Mansion and State Capitol building. She always referred to it as ìa gift to Missouri.î She received the Meritorious Civic Service Award of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and in 2010, the Zonta Club of Jefferson City honored her with the ìMrs. William H. Weldon Lifetime Achievement Awardî for her extensive record of service and philanthropic work. She and her husband returned to Kansas City in the summer of 2008, where she would be close to family and lifelong Barstow friends. She sat on the Barstow Alumnae Board, and was a member of Friends of the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, Junior League of Kansas City, Friends of the Missouri State Archives and Friends of Arrow Rock. Sally is survived by her husband; three children: Elizabeth Sprague Brandt (Mrs. William Perry Brandt), Kansas City, Mo., Chesney Sprague Eden (Mrs. Timothy S. Eden), Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Hugh Almeron Sprague IV, St. Louis, Mo., and four grandchildren: Elizabeth Hundley (Betsy) Brandt, John Chesney Eden, Timothy Charles Eden and Matthew Chesney Sprague. Memorial services are to be held later in May at Christ Church Anglican, Overland Park, Kan. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cremation Society of Kansas and Missouri, 8837 Roe Ave., Prairie Village, KS 66207. (913-383-9888) www.kccremation.com