Florence Sparlin

(From Parker Mortuary)

Florence Louise Sparlin, age 81 of Joplin, left this world at 9:14 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2013 at National Healthcare Center.  Florence was known by many names: Mom, Granny, Sister, and Friend.  She was a gentle, kind and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved Jesus and will be greatly missed by all those who were blessed to have known her.

Born March 16, 1932 in Prairie Grove, AR, she was the daughter of the late Luther Clinton Ballew and Nellie May Williams Ballew.  She married Paul Dennis Sparlin on June 5, 1948 in Benton County, AR. He preceded her in death on March 3, 1994.

She and her husband raised their family in Belleville, MO, where they lived over 50 years. Florence retired from Housekeeping at Freeman Hospital in 1994 with 19 years of service. She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where she served as a Deaconess.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the mortuary. Private family interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to the donor’s favorite charity.

Survivors include a sister, Ruby Starchman of Carl Junction; four daughters, Becky Sparlin of Joplin, Cheryl Burleson and husband Mike of Webb City, Paula Bozarth of Joplin, Shirley Oster and husband Carey of Joplin; three sons, Mike Sparlin and wife Leslie of Joplin, Ronald Sparlin and wife Bridget of Joplin, Mark Sparlin and wife Elaine of Bartlesville, OK. 

Her greatest joy in life was time spent with family, including her 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

16 grandchildren:

Erica Swofford, Carmen Walker, Dennis Burleson, Daniel Mathes,  Amanda Carper,  Ashley Bozarth,  Krystal Trosper, Brittany Walker,  Ashton Sparlin,  Lewis Sparlin, Lacie Good, Hannah Sparlin, Logan Sparlin, Colton Huthsing, Hunter Sparlin, and Lijah Sparlin

21 great grandchildren (and counting):

Hope Walker, Lukas Walker, Libby Walker, Brayden Burleson, Sam Burleson, Tyler Burleson, Fisher Mathes, Carson Mathes, Madison Mathes, Nicholas Carper, Noah Carper, Chloe Carper, Cozette Carper, Silas Carper, Scarlett Carper, Olivia Trosper, Kale Trosper, Hudson Trosper, Lilly Syring, Graham Walker, Maggie Sparlin, and # 22 baby Trosper on the way.