Dorothy Edith Pearson Sparks
August 6, 1926 – January 26, 2014

Dorothy Edith Pearson Sparks of Queen City passed away Sunday evening January 26, 2014 at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. The daughter of Daff and Reta (Fowler) Pearson, Dorothy was born August 6th, 1926, in Livonia, Missouri. Dorothy was raised in Livonia where her parents owned and operated Pearson Grocery. She graduated from Livonia High School as valedictorian in 1944 and later she worked as a telephone operator in Ottumwa, Iowa. Dorothy's father, an avid baseball fan, admired the sports abilities and personal qualities in Max Sparks. They became quite close and invited Max to the Bloomfield fair. This is where Dorothy captured the eye and heart of her future husband. Max and Dorothy were married Christmas day (December 25th, 1949). To this marriage two children were born, Kenny and Jolene.
Dorothy is survived by her husband of 64 years Max Sparks of Queen City, Missouri; son, Kenny Sparks and wife, Carol of Greentop, Missouri; daughter, Jolene Sublett and husband, David of Kirksville, Missouri; two granddaughters, Krissy Ackerson and husband, Scott of Kansas City, Missouri and Cammie Gunnell and husband, Joey of Kansas City, Missouri; grandson, Matt Sublett and his son, Bly of Springfield, Missouri. Dorothy's four great grandsons were the apple of her eye. Quin and Coen Ackerson, Kelan Gunnell and Bly Sublett gave her the greatest of joy in her golden years. She is also survived by her sisters, Maxine Sanders of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sally Upton of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Patsy Beamer and husband, Jim of Owasso, Oklahoma; nephews, Shane Young of Brooklyn, New York, Tim Upton of South Lake Tahoe, California, Vance Matheson of Clermont, Florida; niece, Gayla Wicker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and several great nieces and nephews.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Daff and Reta Pearson; nieces, Kim Martin and Deanna Bennett and great nephew Tracy Martin.
Dorothy served as secretary to principal Don Hilliard from 1966 to 1988 at Queen City High School (later renamed Schuyler R-1) where her husband, Max also taught Social Studies and Physical Education. She was extremely well liked and admired by the staff and students, even having a yearbook dedicated to her for her hard work and kindness toward the students.
Dorothy and Max were baptized at First Baptist Church of Battlefield, MO.
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Memorial services will be held Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser, Pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith officiating. Music will be "The Lord's Prayer", prerecorded by Jolene Sublett, and Max and Dorothy's favorite CD selection, "Look At Us". Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial services from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.