Susan Sparkman

November 8, 1946 — August 11, 2023

Susan was an exceptional person whose light and energy filled each room she entered, and whose genuine love filled those she knew. She filled her life with laughter, fun, and adventure. She loved the arts - from literature, to music, to fine art—and sports, especially her beloved Red Raiders. And she genuinely enjoyed meeting new people. She was known for her kindness, generosity, and faith, and she shared those freely with everyone she met; to know Susan was to love her.

She was born in Seymour, Texas, to Francis Lanham Evans and Charlotte Lucile Wheat and moved to Lubbock at an early age. She excelled at music and played violin in the Lubbock High Orchestra before graduating in 1965. She then attended Texas Tech University where she studied Elementary Education and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated in 1969.

She married Robert Lamar Forrest in 1967, and they raised three wonderful children — Cathey Durham, Laurie Moy, and David Lamar Forrest. Their almost 29 years together included a time living on a cattle ranch east of Slaton and traveling throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.

She had a love of music and teaching. She played violin in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and was also a member of the Triolins, a group of professional violinists led by Bernie Howell. She taught second grade at Martin and Stubbs Elementary Schools, and loved mentoring new teachers.

Lamar passed away from cancer in 1996. Susan continued teaching and met Bill Sparkman; they married in 2000. They moved to Reno, NV, where Bill was Dean of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). She joined the Assistance League of Reno-Sparks and served as its president for two years.

Susan and Bill loved supporting the Nevada's Wolfpack sports, especially football and basketball. They traveled to fabulous places such as Hawaii, Alaska, Germany, Austria, and Iceland, as well as throughout the United States. They especially enjoyed visiting children and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, sister Lana Maney, and infant daughter Christina Forrest. She is survived by her husband William E. Sparkman; her children Cathey Durham (Stacy), Laurie Moy (Christopher), David L. Forrest (Wendy); bonus children Heather Kordas (Steve), Heidi Boehm, and Elliot Sparkman (Emily); sixteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter; her brother Walt Evans, and sisters Patricia Evans and Pamela Cho.

Susan passed away peacefully in her home after battling a recurrence of metastatic breast cancer; she was surrounded by family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Assistance League of Reno-Sparks, American Cancer Society, Texas Boys and Girls Ranch of Lubbock, or any charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com