Mary Katherine Sparks, age 91 of Wimauma, Florida passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025, in her residence.
She was born September 16, 1933 in Salem, Indiana, the daughter of the late Robert L. and Nellie (Stover) Sullivan.
On November 21, 2005, she married Colonel George William Sparks, who preceded her in death.
She was first licensed as a Realtor in Indianapolis in 1959 and again in Springfield, Illinois, receiving the GRI. She was Secretary-Treasurer of two corporations that built over 350 homes & housing in and around the city. At differing times of her life, she was also active as an Insurance Representative, Legal Assistant in St. Louis, Executive Secretary for a National Eye Foundation and an Architect, a Lobbyist at the Illinois State Capitol, Public Relations & Events Planner, compiled a 500 page Cookbook & donated it for a Charity Fundraiser and a Genealogist for 40 years. Her last endeavor was authoring a Memoir for her family.
She was a member of the EQ Chapter of P.E.O., past President of the Sangamon River Chapter Daughters of the War of 1812; past four year Regent of the Springfield Chapter NSDAR; Member of Tent 102 Dr. Mary Harris Thompson Chapter DUV; Past Chaplain of William Bassett Chapter Colonial Dames of the XVII Century-Bradenton; member of the Osceola Chapter NSDAR; Associate of the Christopher Harrison Chapter NSDAR-Salem; Illinois State Daughters of Colonial Wars; Indiana Historical Society; first Indiana Pioneers and first founder of both Massachusetts & New Hampshire; a descendant of the early Founders of Nantucket including Edward Starbuck and Peter Folger, grandfather of Benjamin Franklin. She also was a descendant of King John “Lackland” of England along with 16 of the Barons who also signed the Magna Charta; his father King Henry II, William the Conqueror & Charlemagne. She was a LIFE member of the NSDAR, The Illinois Symphony Guild, Route 66 Association and the Washington County Historical Society & Stevens Museum at Salem, Indiana.
Survivors include: stepdaughter: Gail “Poppy” Vincent of Springfield, Illinois; 2 grandchildren Matt Denton of Austin, TX and Sarah (Kala) Large of Tulsa, OK; one great granddaughter, Lily Large three step-grandchildren, Zechariah Vincent of New York City; Levi Vincent of Springfield, IL and Travis Brown of Louisville, KY. Her daughter Shelley Denton-Starbuck preceded her in death on May 18, 2011.
Mary Katherine was a Christian and dearly loved each and every one of her family members “sisters” and close friends.
A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem, Indiana
Arrangements by Dawalt Funeral Home.
