Abijah Sparks

Abijah Austin Sparks of Farmington, Missouri, formerly of Potosi, departed this life on September 7, 2009 at the St. Francois Heart Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma having reached the age of seventy five years, ten months and twenty seven days. He was born on October 11, 1933 at Potosi, Missouri, a son to the late Abijah B. Sparks and Leone (Simmons) Sparks Dickey.

Abijah served in the United States Army from January 1958 to December 1959.Abijah retired after thirty years of service with Consolidated Freightways. He received a plaque of commendations for three million accident free miles. Also, he owned and operated a truck freight company.

On July 6, 1966, Abijah was united in marriage to Peggy Doty and they shared forty three years together.

In addition to his parents, Abijah was preceded in death by a stepfather Dewey Dickey; son Rocky Abijah Sparks; two brother in laws Troy Cooper and Kent Hale.

Those who remain to mourn the passing of his life are wife Peggy Sparks of Farmington, daughter Lisa Sparks of Farmington, son Jason Sparks and wife Mary Ellen of Hillsboro, three granddaughters Victoria Sparks, Hannah Sparks, Tessa Sparks, two sisters Maurelian Cooper of Belgrade, Linda Hale of Louisiana, many other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him.

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 2 PM at the DeClue Family Chapel with Rev. Leonard Compton officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Joey Crawford, Layne Hovis, Dick Doty, Dave Gillispie, Terry Williams and Lee Hawthorn. Honorary pallbearer Jim Morris.

Interment and final prayers were held at Adams Cemetery in Frankclay. All arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home.