R. Arlene Sparks

R. Arlene Sparks, 90, of California, Mo., passed away on Friday, November 2, 2012, at California Care Center. She was born on June 13, 1922, in Mercer, Mo., the daughter of Everett and Edna (Melton) McKinney, both of whom preceded her in death. She was married on May 16, 1942, in Princeton, Mo. to Rev. Roy G. Sparks, who preceded her in death on August 13, 2010, after 68 years of marriage. She was a 1941 graduate of Princeton High School in Princeton, Mo. She worked at Cargill, was a homemaker and pastor's wife, and retired from the Missouri Dept. of Social Services in 1987. She was a member of Salem Baptist Church. Arlene enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time with kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved sports of all kinds and was a big St. Louis Cardinal Baseball fan. She also was a member of the Hannah Cole Chapter of the D.A.R. She is survived by two sons, Gary Sparks and wife Marilyn of Tyler, Texas, and David Sparks and wife Debbie of California, Mo.; one daughter, Patricia Edwards and husband Larry of Bixby, Okla.; eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Forrest, Ferrell, Marvin, Joe, and Wilbur McKinney; and two sisters, Mildred Ryan and Marie Jeffries. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 5, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo. Burial will be in California Masonic Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Greg Morrow. Visitation will also be held on Monday, November 5, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the California Care Center Resident's Fund, First Baptist Church or Salem Baptist Church, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.