Obituary of Shirley Ann Sparks

Shirley Ann Sparks took her last breath on this mortal world early in the morning on September 22, 2018.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Viola & Hurshel Carpenter, her brother Don Hogard, her husband and father of their children Thomas Brucker, her life partner Richard Miller and her grandson Dylan.

Shirley was born in Rector, Arkansas, November 9, 1938.

Shirley moved to St. Ann when she was a young woman, where she met a handsome young man named Thomas Brucker. They fell in love and on June 5th,1957, they were married. They moved to St. Charles, Mo and had 5 children. The eldest, Thomas Jr., followed by Richard, twins Mary and Gerry and the youngest Kenneth.

While living in St. Charles and raising her children on St. Charles Avenue, she was lovingly known as Mrs. B, by all the neighborhood children. She took time to not only nurse the wounds of her rambunctious children, but at one time or another the wounds of most of the kids in the neighborhood. 

 A few years after her husband Thomas died in 1978, Shirley met and married L.D. Sparks and a short time later they moved to Lake of the Ozarks. Shirley loved living on the lake and though she divorced L.D., she remained living there for the rest of her life. 

Some 30 years ago, she met her final life partner Richard Miller. Though they never married, she deeply loved Richard. People living around them on the lake have said that they always knew when Shirley & Richard were home, because of the laughter resounding around the cove, coming from their deck!

Shirley's life was not always picture perfect and she did not leave this life with a great deal of wealth. She was happy with what she had. Shirley's life will be remembered by her 5 children, 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Shirley left a mark on everyone she met. She is and always will be loved and respected by her family, her friends and by most of those that have had the opportunity to have known her.

 We love you Mom!

Service will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 2 Seton Court, St. Charles, Missouri 63303.