Irene Kathryn Sparks

Services for Irene K. Sparks, 89, of Canadian, TX will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Monte Kreis, officiating. Her granddaughter Sheila Childers will provide the music. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, TX. Mrs. Sparks died Saturday, October 29, 2005 in Canadian, TX. She was born on October 9, 1916 in Boone, NE to the late Mr. Fred Becklam and Mrs. Mabel Kennedy Becklam. She married Elmer E. Sparks on January 24, 1935 in Columbus, NE. The two farmed for a few years during the brutal drought of the 1930’s. By 1944 they were both working for Beech Aircraft in Wichita, KS. Mrs. Sparks did clerical work. In 1946 they moved to the Home Ranch near Glazier, TX. Mrs. Sparks participated fully in its operation. She helped plant an oasis of trees to create the paradise she and her husband envisioned, and found the time to enjoy a bit of oil painting. In 1966 the family moved to Canadian, TX. Mrs. Sparks served for several years as a bookkeeper for George’s Texaco. She also worked tirelessly to support her husband’s efforts on behalf of the Hemphill County Historical Survey Committee, editing and sometimes illustrating his work. After her husband’s death on August 26, 1985, she traveled often with tour groups. She continued to pursue several artistic interests, including china painting. She was a past member of the Arts and Crafts Club. Mrs. Sparks was revered by her family for her enduring moral support, and for her sincere and informed interest in the lives of all of her descendants. In May of 1997, the following comments about her were written by Chelsea Hand at the age of 15 and chosen for publication in the Amarillo Globe News, “I would clone my great-grandmother… she never puts anyone down. She is a wonderful, cheery, optimistic, uplifting person. The world needs more like her”. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Donald Fred Sparks, three sisters, Mabel Becklam, Iona Ogden and Freda Ogden. She is survived by three daughters, Claudette Hand of Canadian, TX; Milly Lippke and husband Hagen of Uvalde, TX; Carolyn Welch and husband Jim of San Antonio, TX; 7 grandchildren, Scott Hand and wife Teresa of Dalhart, TX; Wayne Hand and wife Beverly of Seguin, TX; David Lippke and wife Tina of Bluemont, VA; Sheila Childers and husband Leonard of Kingwood, TX; Carl Lippke and wife Shannon of Conroe, TX; Matt Welch and wife Brynn of Austin, TX; Robert Welch of New Boston, TX and 17 great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials to the River Valley Pioneer Museum, Box 1201, Canadian, TX 79014.