Dana LaVoyne Burrows Sparks

DANA LAVOYNE BURROWS SPARKS passed away in Little Rock from complications of pneumonia. Born on Nov. 5, 1925 in Tipton, Okla., she was the daughter of Jennie Briscoe Burrows and James Orville Burrows. In 1945, she married Norris Jerald Sparks (Sparky) of Cisco, Texas, who was a B-24 bomber pilot in World War II and later became an architect. They moved to Little Rock to raise their family. Dana graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1943. She was a Cub Scout leader and taught Sunday school for many years to children with special needs. Dana was a former member of the Twentieth Century Club and past president of the Bas Bleu Club. She gave her time to help others. Dana was a legal secretary for the Senate in the Arkansas Legislature. In later years, she worked for the Arkansas Historical Preservation Department of the State of Arkansas. She had a variety of interests including rescuing stray dogs and cats. She fed them until they were tame enough to find good homes. She was predeceased by her parents, and her son, Norris Jerald Sparks Jr. (Jerry), her sister, Nelda Keith Pyles, and her brother-in-law, Charles Boykin Pyles. Dana is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Sparks, and Holly Sparks Parker, and husband, David Leger Parker; her grandchildren Jessica Parker Casey and husband, Blake Casey; Rachel Parker Harding and her husband, Rush IV (Buddy) Harding; and David Dallas Parker of Little Rock. She is also survived by one great-grandson Rush Harding V. In addition, she is survived by her niece Karen Box (Paul) of Decatur, Ala., and her children Brig, Ben, Drew, Sam, and Sally. Dana is survived by her nephew David Pyles of Avondale Estates, Ga. and his child Charlie. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock with Reverend Scott Walters officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 509 Scott Street, 72201, or FURR, P.O. Box 250567, in Little Rock, Ark. Dana's family thanks the doctors and nurses at Baptist Health Medical Center and Hospice Home Care for their loving care and support. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.