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Submitted: 9/29/24 • Approved: 10/19/24 • Last Updated: 10/25/24 • R1543837-G1543836-S3
Mary Jo
June 11, 1940 - Oct 23, 2012
Belove "Bo" Sparks
US Air National Guard
June 26, 1936 - June 8, 2013
*Obituary
Mary Jo (Gerhart) Sparks, age 72 of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully, yet unexpectedly, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 due to surgical complications. Mary Jo knew no strangers, with a laugher and contagious smile that lit up the room. The epitome of a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, she was dedicated to each member of her family.
Mary Jo was born June 11, 1940, in Kansas City, Kansas, to the late Joe and Gladys Canterbury Gerhart. Upon moving to Little Rock her junior year in high school, she graduated from Mt. Saint Mary. Mary Jo married Bo Sparks on July 29, 1967. Together they welcomed their pride and joy, son Jeff and daughter Holly. Mary Jo resided in the Jacksonville community the remainder of her life. She was a devout member of St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church, for many years where she enjoyed coordinating many parish activities, including the White Elephant Sale. She was a member of the Altar Society.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband of 45 years, Bo Sparks of Jacksonville; son, Jeff and his wife Robin, of Nashville; their children, Abby, Judd, Meredith, Jennings, John Kolbe and Blaise; a daughter, Holly Wills and her husband, Deri, of Aiken, South Carolina, and their son Darby; brothers, Jack and Jim Gerhart, both of Little Rock; several nieces and nephews. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Marlo and sister-in-law, Carol Covington Gerhart.
Mary Jo cherished those around her. Whether caring for her husband, family members or friends, she was always reliable. Her grandchildren adored her, and lit up when "LaLa" was coming to visit. "LaLa" was so proud and honored to be the grandmother to her seven grandchildren. Though heaven has gained an angel, her presence will be so greatly missed on this earth. We can never be prepared for such a sudden and tremendous shepherd of her flock to be taken so suddenly from us. We take comfort knowing Mary Jo is rejoicing in peace with our Heavenly Father, and reunited with those who have gone before her. She would want us not to mourn, but to celebrate.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, October 25, 2012 at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church with a Rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 26, 2012 at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church. The interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. The family suggests memorials may be made the Altheimers Association. Please go to www.alzark.org to obtain a form to submit your memorial. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home and Crematory of Jacksonville. (501) 982-2136.
*Obituary
Bo G. Sparks, age 76 of Jacksonville, died on June 8, 2013. Born in Hot Springs, he was the son of the late Darice "Sparky" and Frances Jennings Sparks.
Bo spent 32 years with Riverside Motors before he retired in 2003. He loved to negotiate and spent his career making lifelong customers and friends in automotive sales.
Bo graduated from Central High School in 1954 and attended college at LRU, now UALR. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church and served with the Air National Guard from 1954 to 1960.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Mary Jo Gerhart Sparks.
He is survived by his son, Jeff Sparks and his wife Robin; and daughter Holly Wills and her husband, Deri; grandchildren, Abby, Judd, Meredith, Jennings, John Kolbe and Blaise Sparks and Darby Wills; his sisters, Carolyn Jones, Dorrine Rushing, and Sandra Smith (Doug); and a host of other relatives and many, many friends.
A celebration of Bo's life will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013 at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church with a Rosary service beginning at 7 p.m. Following the Rosary the family will remain at the church for an additional time of fellowship. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2013 at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.
He leaves a legacy of humor and love to his family and those who knew him.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Arkansas at www.alzark.org.
www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com
Section Lawn Crypts
Photo courtesy of Annette Shaw
Contributed on 9/29/24 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1543837
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