Mrs. Claudie Ann Cruce Sparks, 69, of Hamburg, died Thursday, July 19, 2012 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Sparks was a native of Drew County and a resident of Ashley County since 1989, after moving from Marvell, Arkansas. She earned her BS in Education from the University of Arkansas-Monticello and went on to teach school for 35 years. She retired from teaching in 2004, having taught in North Carolina, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas, culminating her career teaching at Fountain Hill. She was a devout Christian and a member of Gardner Baptist Church. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, sister and friend to all who knew her. She loved spending time with her family, quilting, and the freedoms of our United States of America.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John "Buster" Cruce and Fannie Cruce Mullins and an infant sister, Mary Lee Cruce.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Elmer Sparks; three sons, Jeff Sparks of Hamburg; Rev. Jay Sparks and wife, Rachael, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Major Jeremy Sparks and wife, Jamie, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; a sister, Dian Ricks and husband, John, of Hamburg; two brothers, John Allen Cruce and Jerry Cruce and wife, Sharon, all of Hamburg. She was affectionately known as "Mammaw" to six grandsons: Jonah, Jeremiah, Joseph, Jas, Jett and Jude, and was "Aunt Granny" to five nephews, three nieces, five great-nephews, seven great-nieces and one great-great niece.

Funeral services are 2 pm, Sunday, July 22, 2012, in the Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Taylor and Rev. Jay Sparks officiating. Burial will be in the Prairie Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Gideon's International, PO Box 83 Crossett, AR 71635 or the Arkansas Baptist Children's Home PO Box 552, Little Rock, AR 72203.