Linda Lou Sparks

Linda Sparks, 78, of Robinson, IL, died at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family. She was born November 16, 1941, in Robinson, IL, the daughter of Robert Okey Parker & Wanda (Terry) Parker, both of whom preceded her in death. She married Harold Sparks on September 16, 1960, and he preceded her in death on May 14, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Lewis E. Henry. She is survived by her two sons, Robb Sparks (Robinson, IL) and Rod & Suzy Sparks (Oblong, IL); by her granddaughter, Baylee Sparks (Oblong, IL); by her sister, Donna Sue Henry (Oblong, IL); by her nephew, Lewis Lee Henry (Oblong, IL); by her aunt & uncle Paul & Donna Terry; by her cousins, Alan & Eileen Parker, Greg & Tammi Terry, Sherri & Steve Denny; and by their children, Erin, Tracy, and Marcy. Born and raised in Robinson, she was a 1959 graduate of RHS. From 1959-1961, she worked for Vic Smith and Senator Everett Dirksen as the secretary of the Illinois Republican Party. She eventually became a rural mail carrier, a job she held for 29 years before she retired in 2002. Away from work, she stayed active in her community. She was a past-president of both the Robinson Junior Women's Club and PTA, a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Beta Sigma Phi, a Gold Star Daughter, a longtime member of the Robinson American Legion Post #69 Auxiliary, as well as a lifetime member of the Robinson Elks Lodge #1188. Anyone who knew Linda could attest to this one fact: family meant everything to her. Having lost her father in WWII at the tender age of 5, she took it upon herself to become a leader and advocate for those she loved most in this world. They will remember their matriarch as nothing short of headstrong, but the determination with which she lived her life came from a desire to see her family thrive...and thrive they did! She was so proud of everything Robb and Rod accomplished, both professionally and personally; she adored her daughter-in-law, Suzy; and her granddaughter Baylee was the sparkle in her eye. There was hardly an event of Baylee's that she missed, which only goes to prove the lengths to which she loved those around her. It's been said that life can be the same after a trinket has been lost, but never after the loss of a treasure. Linda Sparks was a treasure to all who knew her, and the riches of her memory will live on in our hearts for years to come. A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12th at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Robinson. A rite of Christian burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church with Pastors James Flach and Suresh Sambaturu officiating. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to either the “Elks #1188 Nutrition on Weekends” or to the Robinson City Park's "All-Inclusive Playground", with envelopes available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of the arrangements.