Ruth Elizabeth (Whitley) Sparks

Ruth Elizabeth (Whitley) Sparks, (age 92) passed peacefully on January 14, 2019 at her home in Westford, Massachusetts. Ruth was born in Kansas City, Kansas on November 6, 1926 to Fred Whitley and Cleon (Holly) Whitley. She married Leonard Sparks, Jr. in 1944 and had two children, Leonard Sparks, III of Missouri City, TX and Elizabeth Sparks-Hodges of Westford, MA.  After graduating from Sumner High School in 1943 Ruth enrolled at the University of Kansas and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1947. After graduation she began teaching in the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District where she had a 39-year career. She taught primary grades in a number of different elementary schools in the District during this time period.  Ruth relocated to Boston, Massachusetts to reside with her daughter in 1999. She will be remembered for her dedication to her family and to the children that she taught through the years. Ruth enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends, and demonstrated her love for others through her kindness and spirit of giving. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her. Services will be held at Trinity AME Church, 2201 North 5th Street, Kansas City, Kansas on January 31, 2019. She will be interned with her husband in the Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.

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