Melba Sparkman

Melba Rosenkoetter Sparkman, 92, passed peacefully in her sleep at home into the arms of her heavenly Savior on Friday, December 11, after a brief illness. Melba was born October 3, 1923, in San Benito Texas in the home of her loving parents, Frederick Wilhelm Rosenkoetter and Amalia Kroeger Rosenkoetter. A funeral service to celebrate her wonderful life will be held at 2:00, Monday, December 14th, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Borgwardt officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 prior to the service, and the graveside service will immediately follow the funeral at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Melba lived at home in Longview with her loving and devoted husband Leo since they were married May 30th, 1947. Their four children attended and graduated from Pine Tree I.S.D. Originally from Missouri, Melba’s family moved from Cameron County to the community of Lafayette in Upshur County when she was 5 years old. She grew up on the family farm there, and graduated valedictorian from Union Ridge High School in 1940, at the age of 16. She was crowned May Queen as a class favorite and played the starring role in their high school drama production. Melba met her husband Leo on a cold winter day on the snowy streets of Gilmer, after he returned home from serving in World War II in the Army Air Corps. They married about a year and a half later, and Melba worked in a local business office until she became a mother in 1952. Her greatest joys in life were all about the family! She loved raising her four children and insisted on making sure they paid great attention to their education. Most importantly, she loved teaching them about Jesus and providing a solid foundation for their faith by keeping them involved in everything at First Lutheran Church as they grew up. Melba loved having all her children and their families come home so the whole big family could just enjoy being together for no reason and for every event or holiday that came along. She was the sweet picture of a beautiful, loving mother. Melba was always happy to be the chief cook for all family events, and made the best pies anywhere around! She was a great seamstress and taught her three girls to sew while they were young. She also was involved with the Cub Scouts, Bluebirds, and Camp Fire Girls. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, painting, reading and Bible Study. Melba was a member of First Lutheran Church, Longview, since 1947. She loved her church and was active in Women’s Bible Study groups, Quilters Ministry, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Lamplighters, and many other church activities. Through Leo’s military service, Melba joined the VFW Auxilliary and participated in the leadership of that group and its many service and social activities. After retirement, she and Leo enjoyed traveling all over the United States and giving their time to help others through Meals on Wheels, First Lutheran Church ministries, and the VFW. The two of them were a fun and remarkable couple to be around, full of laughter and always on the go! She is preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Amalia Rosenkoetter; sisters Ethel Devona, Myrtle Pullen, Gertrude Rosenkoetter, Irene Rosenkoetter; brothers Frederick Rosenkoetter, Milton Rosenkoetter, Kenneth Rosenkoetter, and Rudolph Rosenkoetter. Melba is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Leo Sparkman; children and spouses, Shirley and Johnny Davis, Robert and Jayne Sparkman, Sharon and Richard Henson, Sherry and Donald Lazor; grandchildren, Johnathan Davis, Russell and wife Lisa Davis, Ashley Sparkman, Seth Sparkman, Jace Henson, Joshua Henson, Tristan Lazor, Ethan Lazor and Griffin Lazor; greatgrandson Will Davis; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Melba’s very special caregivers Rae Allen, Tina Deadmon and Susan Reed for providing wonderful, loving care for Melba over the last year. The family would also like to request that memorials be made to First Lutheran Church ministries, in lieu of flowers.

Melba Sparkman

October 3, 1923 - December 11, 2015