Grace Marian Sparkes |
| Posted 2019-01-27 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona Wednesday, October 23, 1963, page 4.5 Miss Grace M. Sparkes, Arizona Booster, Dies Bisbee, Oct. 22 (Special) - Miss Grace M. Sparkes, one of Arizona's staunchest boosters and a former Prescott Chamber of Commerce official died Tuesday in Copper Queen Hospital following surgery. Miss Sparkes was 70. Prior to moving to Cochise County in 1941, Miss Sparkes served as secretary of Prescott Chamber of Commerce for 30 years. She inducted Prescott Calvin Coolidge into the Prescott's honorary Smoki tribe, assisted in the creation of the Arizona Pioneers Home and led the planning for the Sharlot Hall Museum and Sharlot Hall Days celebration in Northern Arizona. Known as a tireless worker, she spearheaded the two-nation memorial which was created several years ago in the Huachuca Mountains. It honors Coronado and the conquistadors and is called Coronado National Memorial. Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, she moved to Arizona as a child with her father, T. S. Sparkes, who became well known in Prescott mining circles. Miss Sparkes operated the State of Texas Mine about 30 miles southwest of Bisbee and was ranger historian for the National Parks Service in the area. Rosary will be recited Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Hubbard Mortuary Chapel in Bisbee. Another Rosary will be held Thursday in Ruffner Funeral Home in Prescott and Mass will be offered Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott. Times will be announced by the funeral home. Survivors include four nephews, William Sparkes, Bisbee; Tom F. Sparkes, Las Vegas, Nev.; Jack M. Sparkes, West Covina, Calif.; and James Sparkes, Phoenix; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Genevieve Sparkes, Wickenburg. -------------------------------------- Prescott Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, October 23, 1963 Rosary Set For Grace M. Sparkes Miss Grace M. Sparkes, 70, long-time Prescott resident and active civic worker, die in Bisbee yesterday. Born in Leeds, S. D., Miss Sparkes was the daughter of the late Tom S. Sparkes, prominent Prescott-area miner. She pioneered projects such as the Arizona Pioneers' Home here and the Coronado National Memorial in the Huachuca Mountains. She was secretary of the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce here for 33 years and secretary of the Prescott Frontier Days Association for 30 years. In 1951, Miss Sparkes was elected chairman of the Coronado International Monument Commission of Arizona and was reappointed in 1955 and 1960. She was instrumental in establishing the Sharlot Hall Museum and getting it designated as eligible for state aid. Miss Sparkes is also credited with Prescott's slogan, 'Cowboy Capital of the World.' and assisting in the development of the Prescott area as a tourist and health center. She was also active in promoting mining activities. She was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, and in 1938 she moved to Texas Canyon where she operated the Texas Mine. Rosary will be recited Thursday at 8 p.m. at Ruffner Funeral Home, and requiem mass will be sung at 9 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in the family plot in Mt. View Cemetery. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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