September 10, 1921 — August 4, 2016
On the beautiful day of August 5, 2016, after completing her mortal journey with highest honors, the humble, kind, loving, and sometimes feisty, Verna Bacon Sparks sang and danced her way into Heaven. Born on September 10, 1921, in Georgetown, Idaho to Frank Wilbur Bacon and Grace Smart Bacon, Verna graduated from Georgetown High School where she served as Student-body President and as a cheerleader.
During her earlier years, she learned the value of hard work by assisting her father in his grocery store. She met the love of her life, Lyman Slater Sparks, while working in the store. They were married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple on June 10, 1940. They eventually settled in Kaysville, Utah. Verna completed additional education at Weber State College, and completed Cosmetology School. She worked for many years at the Internal Revenue Service, Hill Air Force Base, Sperry Rand, and owned her own beauty shop. After retirement, she worked at Tots to Teens in Logan, Utah, and made sure that the money she earned was used to clothe her grandchildren.
Verna was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and loved the Savior with all of her heart. Her callings in the Church included serving as the Relief Society President of the Montpelier, Idaho 3rd Ward, and the Relief Society President of the Layton, Utah 7th Ward. She loved the people she served. And she served selflessly.
Verna loved trees, birds, music and was a wonderful singer and pianist. She also loved to read, and was rarely without a book. She loved searching the scriptures. Losing her eyesight was one of the most difficult trials in her life. Now she can see, hear, sing, and move without restriction; and is free from all of her pains and sorrows.
Verna had many spiritual gifts, although she would never have admitted it. She loved people, and was always there to listen to and support those around her. She loved her family, and was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin—-you name the relationship, and Verna was great at it.
Verna will be remembered in many ways. Her macaroni salad, potato salad, custard pudding, applesauce cookies, peach preserves, apricot nectar and soups were amazing. She always provided an ice-cold can of pop to every FedEx and UPS driver that delivered her packages. She knew the drivers’ beverage preferences and had the pop ready for them, which they appreciated.
She was the driving force behind family gatherings, and made sure there was always plenty of food. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and made everyone feel welcome and appreciated. And she always wanted her family and friends to feel that they were loved. She will truly be missed.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her siblings: Janice, Bernice, Lucille, Edith, Nina, Evelyn, and Dave. She is survived by her sons: L. Wynn (Ginny) Sparks, Randall (Ann) Sparks, Lund (Cyd) Sparks and Terrell (Julie) Sparks; as well as numerous grandchildren and extended family.
Special thanks to Leilani and staff at Beehive Assisted Living, and to Tracy, Bob, and Craig of Applegate Home Care and Hospice for their care of Verna in her later life. She loved them all.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 W. St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah.
- Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30-10:45 a.m., both at the mortuary.
- Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.