Dorothy Mae Fraley Sparks

RICHMOND, Ind. – Dorothy Mae Fraley Sparks, age 90, of Richmond, went to be with Her Lord on Friday, February 21, 2014. She was born on August 2, 1923, in Logan, West Virginia, to Milligan and Mary Ellen Purvis Fraley. Dorothy moved to Richmond during World War II to go to work to support the war effort. She married her sweetheart, Ivan Sparks, and after the war, they decided to settle here in Richmond. Dorothy was the manager at Chappel’s Restaurant in downtown Richmond for many years before the 1968 blast, and worked also for the Richmond Community School system. Most of all she was a homemaker. Dorothy had a very nurturing spirit and her entire family of brothers and sisters, as well as her extended family, looked to her home as one where they could always come, stay, and be welcome. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was a lifetime member of United Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky. She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Judy (Alan) Potter of Orange, Texas, and Janie (Larry) Nichols of Richmond; grandchildren, Melissa (Ross) Conley of Richmond, Kentucky, Karen (David) King of Defuniak Springs, Florida, Rhonda (Phil) Barnhart of Cincinnati, Ohio, Marianne Cummins of Orange, Texas, Randy (Lori) Pigman of Brownsburg, Indiana, and Rick Nichols of Greensburg, Indiana; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandson; sister, Mabel Whitehead; brothers, Fred Fraley and Frank Fraley, both of Indianapolis, Indiana, Russell Fraley of Richmond, and Milligan Fraley Jr. of Morehead, Kentucky; and many precious nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ivan Sparks; brothers, Jim, Tennis, and Ralph Fraley; and sister, Aileen McDaniel. Visitation for Dorothy Mae Sparks will be from 10 to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Rev. Russell Fraley and Dr. Frank Holman officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Chapelwood Baptist Church, 1097 North Old 27, Winchester, IN 47394 or Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3469 Hillcrest Road, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Mae Fraley Sparks

August 2, 1923 - February 21, 2014