Martha Elizabeth (Sparling) Smith

Martha Elizabeth (Sparling) Smith, 76, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at her home near Greentown, Indiana due to breast cancer.  She was born in Galveston, Indiana on April 27, 1941 to Floyd (Ted) and Orpha (Smith) Sparling, both now deceased.  She was married to Ronald (Ronnie) Smith on July 23, 1972, in Marion, Indiana.

When she was in the first grade, her family moved to a small community (Guy) just southwest of Greentown.  She attended Union Township Grade School and then Eastern High School, graduating in 1959.  While in high school Marty worked at Condon’s Sundries in Greentown.  After graduation she worked in Kokomo for Demaree Molded Plastics (now Syndicate Sales) as receptionist and switchboard operator for 2 years.  From 1963 to 1986, she worked at Community Radiology, P.C. (the Radiology Department of Howard Community Hospital) and ultimately managed the office and medical records for radiologists, Dr. Charles Smith and Dr. Robert Blue.  She also subsequently worked with her sister Becky in a cleaning service called “Dust Busters”!

Marty loved and served her Lord, Jesus Christ, modeling the unconditional love and forgiveness He showed her to others throughout her life.  She grew up attending the Salvation Army Church in Kokomo where she was taught the Christian fundamentals for life.  She sang in the choir and in a trio with “my dear cousin Judy and my wonderful friend Nita Kay”.  She also enjoyed playing alto horn in the Salvation Army Band.  After marriage, Marty & Ronnie attended Meridian Street Christian Church in Greentown and Jerome Christian Church.

Marty has always been the heart and hub of family life for her children and grandchildren.  During the “growing up” years of her children, she was involved in Cub Scouts, Brownies, EHS Band Boosters, Church Youth groups and other church activities.  She truly worked at bringing family together, always hosting gatherings to connect and nurture relationships.  Even though she was not at all fond of air travel, she braved flights across mountains and oceans – anywhere necessary – to be with her kids and grandkids at important times in their lives.  No one in her family ever had any question about how important they were to “mom”/“grandma” or how much she loved them.

Marty was very proud to be a representative for her graduating class, EHS 1959!  Over many years, she helped plan reunions and monthly lunches for class members, spouses & friends.  She was honored to be a part of this extraordinary group she called “My 59ers”, who still meet regularly and enjoy their time together, because “we truly care about each other’s lives and families”.  She also represented her class to the “Fabulous Fifties” biannual reunion, a gathering of all who attended Eastern High School in the decade of the 50s.

Always a highlight of Marty’s life were her high school girlfriends who remained very special to her even though they graduated almost 60 years ago!  Over the years they took trips together – to the lake, shopping, etc. – and they continued to meet regularly for dinner and “just to visit”.  Oh how she loved these women:  Linda, Barbara, Joyce, Ruth Ann, Jane and MaryAnn.

Marty is survived by her husband Ronnie, sons Chris (Gina) Kirkpatrick (Galveston), Craig (Sherry) Kirkpatrick (San Diego, CA) & Michael Smith (Greentown), daughter Carmen (Smith) Kernel with fiancé Dain Egly (Greentown), grandsons Allen Kirkpatrick, Philip Kirkpatrick, Ian Kirkpatrick, Justin Kernel, Jared Kernel & Jacob Kernel, granddaughters Shawna (Kirkpatrick) (Steven) White, Sarah Kirkpatrick & Alexis Smith, and great-grandchildren Jace Kirkpatrick and Tru Kirkpatrick.

She is also survived by brothers Theodore (Merna) Sparling (Lucedale, MS), Dr. Harry Logan (Carolyn) Sparling (Kokomo), and Michael (Laura) Sparling (Greenfield, NH).

She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Orpha Sparling, brother Roscoe Sparling, sister Rebecca (Becky) Sparling Bolton, brother-in-law Conlas Bolton, sister-in-law and dear friend Bonita Schaaf Sparling, brother-in-law Robert Smith, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Kenneth and Velma Smith.

Surviving in-laws are Doris Smith (Macy, IN), Larry & Sue Smith (Kokomo), Marvin & Suzette Smith (FL), and Denny & Rita Smith (FL).

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Hasler-Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main Street, Greentown.  Dr. Logan Sparling will officiate with brothers Michael and Ted.  Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.  Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Hasler-Stout Funeral Home.  Charitable donations may be directed to the Salvation Army in Marty’s memory.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

Of all the things we have learned from Martha Elizabeth (Sparling) Smith’s life, this is the preeminent lesson:  Even in the midst of the most difficult trouble, always choose faith, always choose hope, and especially, choose love.  “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13.

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