Emma Lou "Sparky" Meloy

Emma Lou "Sparky" Meloy passed away on January 20, 2015. Visitation at 10:00AM, Saturday, January 24, with funeral at 11:00PM at the McGilley Antioch Chapel. Burial Barry Cemetery. Contributions to the Arthritis Foundation.

Born on October 9, 1928 in Avondale, Missouri, she was the third daughter of Ralph Allen and Thelma Bratcher Sparks, who have preceded her in death. Her two sisters Thelma Lucille who married Jimmie W. Skeith, and Jo Ellen who passed away at the age of 8.

Sparky has lived in the Kansas City North area most of her life, attending school, and marrying Hobart Wayne Harris on February 14, 1947. From this marriage there were five sons born: Wayne Allen, Michael Ray (who passed away at age 6 ½ weeks in 1950), Ronald Mark, Gary Dean, and James Patrick. This marriage ended in divorce on September 27, 1965.

On May 3, 1975, Sparky married Jack L. Meloy, and found in this husband faith, trust, and a deep Christian love.

Sparky’s main goal in life for so many years was the care and love for her sons, endeavoring to raise them to be healthy, strong, and good men.

She held on to the nickname of “Sparky” all of her life. Her friends in early grade school gave her the nickname because she was so peppy and vivacious. She was indeed a very energetic person with a personality reflecting humor, enthusiasm and a zest for living, coupled with her respect and love for the Lord.

She was raised in a Christian home and carried this deep-rooted love throughout most of her life. She was a member of Park Hill Church of Kansas City, North.

Sparky’s love for her sons enabled her to be a Cub Scout Den Mother for a total of 9 years, took her to many little league baseball games, football games, and also enabled her to be one of the first female members of the Boy Scouts in the greater Kansas City area, serving as Secretary of her son’s troop.

In the last five years of marriage to Jack, they were transferred to Jackson, MS and Memphis, TN where they both met and made some wonderful friends. She enjoyed her youth, graciously and lovingly accepted the role of motherhood, adored her grandchildren, and was grateful to God for her wonderful love-filled years with Jack until he went to be with the Lord on December 29, 1985.