Ruth Sparks

Ruth Sparks, 91, of Palestine, IL, died at 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL. She was born January 13, 1927 in Willow Hill, IL, the daughter of John Marvin Fowler & Maude Josephine (Pleasant) Fowler, both of whom preceded her in death. She married her beloved husband of 73 years, Bill Sparks, on July 28, 1944, and he preceded her in death on August 31, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Lynn Bradberry; by her brother, Howard Fowler; and by her great-great-grandchild, Kace Bradberry She is survived by her son & daughter-in-law, Pat & Cindy Sparks (Palestine, IL); by her daughters & sons-in-law, Mona & Rick Bogard (Robinson, IL) and Beth & James Butts (Bella Vista, AR); by her grandchildren, Eric & Marcia Bradberry, Sean & Julie Bradberry, Ryan Bradberry, BJ & Mendy Sparks, Jessica & Sean Bonesteel, Erin & Bradley Reinbold, Libby & Israel Benson, Cory & Angie Bogard, Laura & Philip Baker, Jordan Hawley, Aaron & Aubree Hawley, and Hannah Hawley; by 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; by her son-in-law, Gary Bradberry; by her sisters-in-law, Mary-Lou Fowler (Hillsboro, IL) and Ola Gwen McDaniel (Robinson, IL); as well as several step-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Ruth grew up in the Willow Hill area and was a 1944 graduate of Palestine High School. That summer, she married Bill and together, they ran Sparks Motors in Palestine for many years. While she worked outside the home, she was a housewife through and through. She was an excellent seamstress as well as an ace in the kitchen, having baked some of the best pies and puddings you’d ever have the chance to eat. Ruth had a green thumb as well, and her flower garden was truly a thing of beauty. If she wasn’t in the kitchen or in the garden, chances are that she’d be found absorbed in a book, reading mystery romance novels or Christian fiction. Out of the house, both Ruth and Bill were longtime members of the Palestine First Methodist Church. It was here that her love of music was able to shine as an alto in the church choir. She was also a longtime Sunday School Superintendent and went as far as to pick up children to make sure they went to church. She was, by all accounts, a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She took on these roles with selflessness and grace, and the love she gave to her family is the legacy she leaves behind. We have all been given a great gift in her example and will never forget her gentle spirit for as long as we live. A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31st at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery. In honor of her love of reading, memorials may be made to the Palestine Public Library, with envelopes available at the funeral home.