Alma Jean (Warren) Sparkman

Alma Jean Sparkman, 78, Hays, died Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the Via Christi Villages.

She was born January 16, 1937 in Zion, Illinois the daughter of Albert E. and Julia J. (Kyndberg) Warren.  She received her BS degree in Elementary Education from Bob Jones University and her MS degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University.  While attending Bob Jones University she met her future husband and on June 4, 1959 she married Pastor Lynn L. Sparkman in Zion, Illinois.  Together they founded High Plains Baptist Church in Hays, Kansas.  She was an elementary school teacher, teaching multiple grades at High Plains Christian School for 20 years.  She also did substitute teaching in USD 489. She was well known for her hospitality, and she loved to cook and graciously welcome people into her home.  She was very active in community events and loved to travel to see her family, children, and grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, David Sparkman and wife Carrie of Eden Prairie, MN, Jon Sparkman and wife Lisa of Pelham, NH, and Scot Sparkman and wife April of Keyes, Oklahoma, five brothers, Bill Warren and wife Sharran of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Jim Warren and wife JoNancy of Zion, IL, Charlie Warren and wife Dawn of Beach Park, IL, John Warren and wife Sue of Winthrop Harbor, IL, and Ron Warren and wife Wanda of Pleasant Prairie, WI, ten grandchildren, Zachary and wife Kate, Nicole, Lauren, Taylor, Joshua, Rebecca, Austin, Kaeleigh, Grant, and Grace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband who died on December 23, 2010.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the High Plains Baptist Church, 2700 Canterbury Drive, Hays.  Burial will be in the Mt. Allen Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Friday from 4:30 until 6:30 pm at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine, and on Saturday from 10:00 am until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the High Plains Baptist Church or to Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com