Rowena Elizabeth Sparks age 82 of Springfield Missouri took her heavenly flight, Sunday, June 13, 2021.
Born December 9, 1938, the daughter of Willie (Bill) and Alta (Steele) Zimmerman. On May 22, 1958 in Kirksville, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Jerry Lester Sparks who preceded her in death on November 4, 2016. Also preceding her in death were her parents, one brother Billie Dee, and infant sister, Neva June.
Surviving are one son, Anthony Sparks of the Philippines; two daughters and sons-in-law, Luena and David Wilson of Fort Worth, Texas and Liza and Mike Blair of Springfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, David and Devin (Laura) Wilson, Tabitha (Michael) Mohler, Jazmin (Joey) Thorsen, Derek (Elizabeth) Sparks; and seven great grandchildren, Marissa, Addison, Marcus, and Aiden Mohler, Cora Sparks, Journey and Jude Thorsen.
Rowena was a 1957 graduate of La Plata High School. With a love of art Rowena graduated from America Art Institute and attended Baptist Bible College. She went on to share her love of art teaching from the elementary to college level. In her retirement years she pursued her passion of photography, working full time as a photo lab technician. She is a member of Baptist Temple in Springfield Missouri.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Burial will be at Canaday Cemetery in Adair County.
Visitation will be Friday, June 18, 2021 with the family receiving friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials in memory of Rowena E Sparks may be made to Canaday Cemetery. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.