Neoma Ward Sparks

Neoma Ward SPARKS March 19, 1935 ~ May 12, 2012 Neoma Ward Sparks died at her home in Corvallis, Oregon, at about 10:00 p.m. last Saturday. Neoma kissed Death on January 30, 1983, when she had a severe heart attack while vacationing on Maui. She survived with great care and four bypass grafts. But the heart damage was permanent and now, caught between the twin pincers of heart failure and kidney failure, she is taken from us to reside in the house of the Lord. Neoma was born in Seattle to Richard and Genevieve (Gel) Benshoof Ward. She lived in Seattle the first 36 years of her life. She attended Bryant Elementary School for grades K-8, followed by 4 years at Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1952. At Roosevelt, she ran for and was elected to the student council/cabinet, girls club cabinet, junior class treasurer, and senior class treasurer. She was chosen by the faculty as a Golden Spur, an honorary group of doers and achievers, and by students to be a Rose Maiden for her outstanding contributions promoting the high ideals of the school. Neoma went on to the University of Washington where she always had a part-time job, became a Kappa Delta, enjoyed all aspects of college life, and graduated in 1956 with a BA in education. She began her career as a high-school English teacher first in Kent, and then in Shoreline. She married Herb Sparks on June 8, 1957, presented him with three daughters and two sons between 5/58 and 10/63, and helped move into a bigger home every couple years. On April 1,1971, Herb was laid off by Boeing. The subsequent job search ended in Corvallis, and the family moved there in July. On April 1, 1972, they purchased their present home where they still live. From 1975 through the late '80's Neoma's mother took Neoma and her sister on several cruises - to Alaska, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the Canary and Madeira Islands, Indonesia - and visits to exotic places - Manila, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Morocco. Vacations including Herb have taken her to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Panama, Costa Rica, Spain, France, and Greece, and domestic travel to Hawaii, Florida, DC, etc. During her "Crossroads" era in the 1980's, Neoma hosted 15 foreign students who were attending Oregon State University. She maintained contact with six of them. We visited the homes of all six, and two have returned to Corvallis for visits. One student's daughter, Laëtitia, has honored us by adopting us as her 3rd grandparents and visited us in Corvallis twice for a month each time. The'90's were the "Bed and Breakfast" decade. She created her B&B from scratch. The decor, furnishings, recipes, name, logo, and all the other details were hers. Plus, she got paid to greet, chat and laugh with a continuing stream of interesting and happy people! It was a sad day when she had to give it up for health reasons. In September, 1989, her 31 year-old daughter Neoma Lynn died of hemolytic-uremic syndrome - the E coli disease. Neoma's grief for her daughter was unconsolable, but in a nearby town she found a support group for parents whose child has died. Mutual sharing and support helped ease her sorrow. In 1995, Neoma helped a small group of other women from St.Mary's Catholic Church establish a Bereavement Ministry in Corvallis. Neoma then ministered to the needs of others until the week before her death. In September, 1997, Neoma's 34 year-old son Blake drowned in a boating incident compounding her sorrow, and the group she helped create was there to help her. Some common threads that ran through Neoma's life from youth to death were her eagerness to enjoy all aspects of life, her acceptance and concern for everyone around her, and her unfailing cheerfulness and good humor. Neoma is certain to be remembered for her laughter. Her laugh was more than infectious, flowing freely from her mouth and heart, finding humor in misfortune, and glee in gloom. To Neoma, laughter made life worth living; laughter overcame all the failings of her body; and most important, laughing together with other people helped them become great friends. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home in Corvallis. A funeral mass will take place at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Private internment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.