FLORENCE SPARKS

Florence A. Rains Sparks, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Nov. 10. 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born Jan. 3, 1911, in Grand Tower, Ill., daughter of Agnes M. Blackwell and Mr. Blackwell. She first married Milo S. Rains in 1934, in Murphysboro, Ill. He died May 25, 1977. She later married Leo Hardin Sparks, who died Aug. 25, 1990.

Sparks lived in Cape Girardeau most of her life. She had been a cook at the former Southern Cafe.

Survivors include four sons, Sam, Paul and Milo "Sonny" Rains and Arthur "Bud" Burton, all of Cape Girardeau; six daughters, Lillian Brown, Becky Rains, Linda Pulliam and Mary Brown, all of Cape Girardeau, Florence "Sis" Arriola of California, and Nancy "Dolly" Kerr of Chicago.

Other survivors include four stepsons, Gary, Ricky and Luther Sparks, all of Cape Girardeau, Jerry Sparks of St. Louis; a stepdaughter, Mary Essary of Georgia; a brother, Archie Maglone of Cape Girardeau; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and a number of stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, a daughter, two brothers, three sisters, two grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the chapel, with the Rev. Bill Kitchen officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.