Kathleen Sparkman

KATHLEEN SPARKMAN BAXTER-Celebration of life services for Kathleen Sparkman, 93 of Baxter will be Saturday, June 3 at 2 P.M. from the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Skurlock Cemetery in White County. Mrs. Sparkman died Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at NHC of Cookeville. She was born October 26, 1923 in White County to the late Eddie Wyatt and Vernie Mason Phifer. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Sparkman, son-in-law Tommy Alcorn, sisters Sue Savage and Ellen Wendling and a brother Charles Fred Phifer. She was a 1942 graduate of White County High School. She became a "Rosie the Riveter" working at the Goodyear plant in Akron, Ohio during World War II. She wore many "hats": a homemaker, sold Stanley Home Products, worked at Georgia Shoe at Baxter, she taught English at DeBerry Academy and substituted as a teacher in the Putnam County School System, she was a sales associate with Harvey's/Peebles of Cookeville. She loved to travel, with a special group of friends going on bus trips, cruises, touring Europe and lastly England and Scotland. She enjoyed family time at Hilton Head many summers, especially the ones with the grandchildren. She was fun and always on the go until the later years, when she became ill and could never get back to her old self. She had lots of energy and was willing to always try new ideas. She was a wonderful cook, always believed in education and insisted her three children go to college, as she never had the chance. She was a member of Baxter Church of Christ. Survivors include daughters and a son-in-law Joyce Alcorn of Lebanon, Susan and Billy Shanks of Cookeville, son Donald "Donnie" and Nelda Sparkman of Knoxville, brother and sister-in-law Edward and Janette Phifer of Sparta, grandchildren: David (Rebecca) Alcorn, Angela (Cody) Evans, Derek Sparkman, Emily (Matt) Crawford, Jason Shanks, Jerry (Jessica) Shanks, great-grandchildren: Catherine Alcorn, Cade Crawford, Luke Evans, Hannah Evans, Wes Crawford, Emma Shanks, Lily Shanks, Jase Shanks, Jett Shanks, Jerra Shanks, several nieces and nephews. A special thanks to the care givers at NHC and Morningside. Family will receive friends Saturday from 11 AM until service time at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be David Alcorn, Derek Sparkman, Jason Shanks, Jerry Shanks, Cody Evans and Matt Crawford. Memorial contributions may be made to the Skurlock Cemetery Trust % Mary Ann Cloyd, 541 Gooseneck Rd. Doyle, TN 38559 Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home (931)858-2134 is in charge of arrangements. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com