Helen Lucille "Lucy" Sprague

Helen Lucille "Lucy" Sprague of Marion, Illinois, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Parkway Manor in Marion, Illinois. Lucy was born two months premature to Blaine and Mabel Helen (Kilman) Foster on November 22, 1930 in DeSoto, Illinois. She was born a fighter and remained one until her passing at 94 years old.
She grew up during the "Great Depression," and learned first-hand about hard times. Family came first and her love for them was carried throughout her life.
Lucy grew up in a small area known as Scottsboro, Illinois, in a humble house built by her father. She attended school in Marion, Illinois. At the young age of 15, Lucy took her first job at The Southern Café in Marion. She and her sister Stella worked together as waitresses, cooks and dishwashers. It was hard work, but she always proclaimed it as some of the best times in her life. She made many friends there and compared her time there to the television show "Happy Days".
During her employment at the café, Lucy met her future husband, Tommy E. Sprague. They were married on January 17, 1951 in Piggott, Arkansas. Tommy was soon drafted and later deployed to Germany where he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Lucy gave birth to their first child during this time.
Lucy was a stay-at-home mom for many years, providing a wonderful home and life for her family. In later years she was employed by The Marion Daily Republican Newspaper.
Her grandchildren were her greatest blessings and to her delight they spent much time with her. She left quite an impression on them and they defined her as the "Greatest Granny ever".
Lucy has always been there for family and friends-in-need, putting her own needs aside to be there for others.
Lucy's love for music and dancing began at an early age and continued until her health took away her ability to dance. She filled her home with music of many genres and she could "cut a mean rug" often doing so while cleaning house. When music began playing she found it hard to stay still, no matter where she was.
Lucy will always be remembered for her sense of humor and love of practical jokes.
She loved people and entertaining in her home. Everyone was welcome to eat if they dropped by at meal time. She was a great cook and well known for her homemade pies and chocolate fudge. She often gifted family and friends with her delicacies.
Lucy loved playing cards. Many evenings were spent around the table playing Rummy. She was quite good at it.
Lucy leaves behind two children who are blessed to call her Mom, a son, Tommy A. Sprague and wife, Alyce of Marion, Illinois; a daughter, Sherri L. Calvert and husband, Danny of Marion, Illinois; three grandchildren, Lindsay Marshall and husband, Brad, and their daughter, Kenadee of Goreville, Illinois, Jenna Vaupel and husband, Ryan, and their two children, Lucie and Nolan of Marion, Illinois and Travis Sprague and wife, Heather, and their daughter, Hazel, of Goreville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends who were like family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Tommy; her parents; a sister, Stella Cottone; and her brother-in-law, Ed Cottone.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.
The funeral service will be at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with Lucy's son, Tommy Sprague presiding.
Private interment will follow.
For more information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Helen, please visit our Tree Store.