Sandra K. Sparkman

Sandra K. Sparkman, 59, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

She was born July 16, 1953, in Poplar Bluff. She was a longtime resident of Butler County. She was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. A registered nurse, Ms. Sparkman was a teacher at Barnes Jewish Hospital as a doctor of psychiatry. She was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, receiving the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal. She volunteered at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, as a chaplain at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, with the Vietnam Veterans Association, B.E.S.T., Acupuncture Detox and March of Dimes; made Christmas shoe boxes gift donations for the under privileged; participated in the Relay For Life; was a member of the World Laughter Tour, Laughter club at the VA and the nursing homes; and took care of the bulletin board at the VA. She was also the leader of the Mt. Zion Church children's church and a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed taking care of her dogs.

She is survived by two brothers, Elmer Sparkman and George Sparkman, both of Poplar Bluff; and one sister, Debra Fay Sparkman of McAllen, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mt. Zion Missouri Baptist Church the Rev. Matthew Johnston officiating. Burial will be at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo. Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans Fund.