Mary Sparks Douglas

Mary Sparks Douglas, 86, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 22, 2013. She was born in Pinson, Tennessee, on August 11, 1926. She grew up in Lexington, Tennessee and attended Antioch College. She met Warren Douglas (from Sheridan, Arkansas and then a US Navy pilot) while visiting her sister, Virginia, in Florida after the War. Warren later attended medical school in California and they finally settled in Jonesboro, Arkansas where they raised their family. Mary was a very active volunteer in Jonesboro: Den Mother - Cub Scouts; Active Member - First Baptist Church of Jonesboro & Sponsor - Girl's Auxiliary; Active Member and Fundraiser - Democratic Women's Club; Member - Ladies Auxiliary of the Arkansas Medical Society; Executive Board of Jonesboro PTA; Chair - Craighead County Heart Association Crusade; District Chair – County TB Association; Fundraiser - Cancer Crusade; Member - Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority; President – Jonesboro Council of Garden Clubs; and State President and Lifetime Member - Arkansas Jaycettes. In 1959 Mary was named "Woman of the Year" in Jonesboro for raising more money for charitable organizations than any woman in Jonesboro's history. She was very proud to have been appointed by Governor Faubus to serve on the inaugural Arkansas Educational Television Commission to explore the feasibility of television teaching in public schools. She was predeceased by her parents, Walter & Ethyl Sparks; her sister, Virginia Uzzell; and her brother, Robert Sparks. Mrs. Douglas is survived by her brother, Gerald Sparks; son, David W. Douglas and wife, Susan, of Austin, Texas; daughter, Susan Douglas Henry, of Little Rock, Arkansas; son, Stephen W. Douglas and wife, Linda, of Heber Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren Destin Douglas, Frances Douglas, Lauren Simmons, Rachel Henry, Carole Douglas, Scott Douglas, Angie House, and five great-grandchildren. The family asks that friends wishing to celebrate her life call between 6–8 p.m. this evening, Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Interment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park at noon, Friday, July 26, 2013. Pallbearers will be David Douglas, Stephen Douglas, Destin Douglas, Nathan House, and John Simmons. Honorary Pallbearer is Scott Douglas. Memorials may be made to "AETN Foundation" (the Arkansas Educational Television Foundation) or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. To extend online condolences to the Douglas family, or for directions or additional information, please visit www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.