Funeral service for Cecil J. Sparkman, age 86, of Decatur, will be Sunday, January 11, 2015, 2:00 p.m., at Shelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Benny Sivley and Rev. Dr. Doug Ripley officiating. The family will receive friends for two hours prior to service. Interment will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
Mr. Sparkman, who passed away January 8, 2015, at River City Center, was born January 15, 1928, in Oak Ridge, Alabama, to Floyd and Lorene Sparkman. Mr. Sparkman was a member of Decatur Baptist Church, formerly Moulton Heights Baptist Church, since 1956. He was a World War II veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Navy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Royce Sparkman, Harold Sparkman, Orville Sparkman, Vernon Sparkman, and Bobby Sparkman; four brothers-in-law, Robert Leeman, Horace “Shorty” Beggs, Howard Hogeland, and Skeggs Hogeland.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Hogeland Sparkman; one son, Jerry Sparkman (Lorrianne); four grandhcildren, Parker Sparkman, Chandler Sparkman, Zackery Curtis, and Matthew Curtis; two brothers, Richard Sparkman and Frank Sparkman (Yolanda); one sister, Dorothy Beggs; one sister-in-law, Hallie Alderson; and a host of nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers will be Bruce Sparkman, Danny Beggs, Larry Payne, Parker Sparkman, Zackery Curtis, and Matthew Curtis. Honorary pallbearers are Lowell Holmes, Alvin Daily, Orville Hall, Willard Burt, Bobby McKeehan, and Wilson McKleroy.
Mr. Sparkman was an active Gideon for many years; the family requests memorial donations be made to Gideons International in lieu of flowers.
