Maxine Berry Sparkes
1923 - 2015 Obituary - We are heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend Maxine Berry Sparkes, a lovely woman who rose from humble beginnings to become an elegant lady worthy of admiration. She was a strong and worthy companion to her husband, a protective and capable mother to her children, and an example of graciousness and love to all who knew her.
She passed away in Cedar Hills, UT on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, due to complications of advanced age. She was 91 years old. Maxine was born on August 24, 1923, to David Allen Berry and Fannie Alice Reid in Cedar Fort, UT. She was the fifth child of eight.
She was raised during difficult economic times, the child of a dry farmer. She learned to work hard at a young age-riding horses bareback, operating horse-drawn hay wagons, taking care of farm animals, gardening, canning, and baking. Her mother died at the young age of 45, leaving Maxine to care for a younger sister and brother.
She attended high school in Lehi. At age 17, she left home to make her way in the world in Salt Lake. She worked at Walgreens and roomed with some other young women. In 1941, traveling to California with her friend, she met the love of her life, Wilford Sparkes of Centerville, UT, in Hollywood. After a whirlwind romance of 30 days, they traveled to Las Vegas and tied the knot. Their happy union lasted 73 years before Wilford recently passed away on October 24, 2014.
She worked as a waitress, hostess, full-time homemaker, and medical office manager before retiring in 1975. Maxine and Wilf returned to Utah and have been living in the Sandy/Draper area for years.
Maxine is survived by her adoring children Charlene Pineda (Draper, UT), Darlene and Tom Hollingsworth (Cedar Hills, UT), Douglas and Debbie Sparkes (Chino Hills, CA) 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, her brother Glade (Maureen) Berry of Cedar Fort, UT, sister-in-law Frances Holloway of Rosamond, CA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; sisters Veva Berry, LaRue Duncan, Ivy Rytting, and Donna Cook; brothers Reid Berry and John Berry; son-in-law Fred Pineda, grandson Kirk Peterson, and great-granddaughter Megan McKee.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 4, at the LDS Chapel at 12870 S 1300 E, Draper, UT. Viewing at 9:30 a.m., Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Lake Hills Cemetery, 10055 South State, Sandy, UT. Mortuary services by Wing Mortuary, Lehi, UT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Published in Deseret News from May 31 to June 2, 2015
Maxine Berry Sparkes
1923 - 2015 Obituary - We are heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend Maxine Berry Sparkes, a lovely woman who rose from humble beginnings to become an elegant lady worthy of admiration. She was a strong and worthy companion to her husband, a protective and capable mother to her children, and an example of graciousness and love to all who knew her.
She passed away in Cedar Hills, UT on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, due to complications of advanced age. She was 91 years old. Maxine was born on August 24, 1923, to David Allen Berry and Fannie Alice Reid in Cedar Fort, UT. She was the fifth child of eight.
She was raised during difficult economic times, the child of a dry farmer. She learned to work hard at a young age-riding horses bareback, operating horse-drawn hay wagons, taking care of farm animals, gardening, canning, and baking. Her mother died at the young age of 45, leaving Maxine to care for a younger sister and brother.
She attended high school in Lehi. At age 17, she left home to make her way in the world in Salt Lake. She worked at Walgreens and roomed with some other young women. In 1941, traveling to California with her friend, she met the love of her life, Wilford Sparkes of Centerville, UT, in Hollywood. After a whirlwind romance of 30 days, they traveled to Las Vegas and tied the knot. Their happy union lasted 73 years before Wilford recently passed away on October 24, 2014.
She worked as a waitress, hostess, full-time homemaker, and medical office manager before retiring in 1975. Maxine and Wilf returned to Utah and have been living in the Sandy/Draper area for years.
Maxine is survived by her adoring children Charlene Pineda (Draper, UT), Darlene and Tom Hollingsworth (Cedar Hills, UT), Douglas and Debbie Sparkes (Chino Hills, CA) 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, her brother Glade (Maureen) Berry of Cedar Fort, UT, sister-in-law Frances Holloway of Rosamond, CA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; sisters Veva Berry, LaRue Duncan, Ivy Rytting, and Donna Cook; brothers Reid Berry and John Berry; son-in-law Fred Pineda, grandson Kirk Peterson, and great-granddaughter Megan McKee.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 4, at the LDS Chapel at 12870 S 1300 E, Draper, UT. Viewing at 9:30 a.m., Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Lake Hills Cemetery, 10055 South State, Sandy, UT. Mortuary services by Wing Mortuary, Lehi, UT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Published in Deseret News from May 31 to June 2, 2015
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