Ilomay Mary Sparks

She was born on August 18, 1932 to Melvin A. and Helen T. Paulsen in Chicago, Illinois and was named by her mother after a famous radio and stage vocalist of the 1930s. She attended parochial school in Chicago through her teenage years and then in her early twenties received her RN degree at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois where she also met her husband of sixty years, John C. Sparks, MD.

Once she began raising her family, Ilomay chose to become a full-time homemaker and parent. She, John, and their three daughters moved to San Antonio in 1960 where John continued his Air Force military career. During the next few years, they expanded their family welcoming two sons. She participated in her children's education encouraging them throughout to learn and strive to do their best.

After all of her children were grown, Ilomay not only worked outside of the home but also volunteered. For several years, she served as the secretary for the Texas Hunter & Jumper Association and was an active member of her church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. As a teenager, she learned to play the accordion and to Irish step dance. During her early years as a military spouse, she joined a women's choral group, the Lackland O-W-C Choralettes, because she loved to sing and they recorded a two-sided album of various popular tunes.

Ilomay was a wonderful cook, gardener, seamstress, and storyteller with a passion for tropical fish, gnomes, and decorating her home in celebration of the many holidays during the year. She was a very loving wife and mother as well as a child at heart who had genuine compassion for both children and animals.

She is cherished by all of her family and will forever be remembered.

Ilomay was preceded in death by her older brother, Melvin R. Paulsen, and her beloved canine companion, Bailey.

She is survived by her husband, John; her five children, Karen Earle (Stephen), Charlotte, Mary, John Jr. (Linda), and William Sparks; and her seven grandchildren, Christiana, Christopher, Collin, Cameron, and Cavin Earle, and David and Matthew Sparks.

All services for Ilomay will be private except for a 9:00 a.m. Mass on Thursday, November 27, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8500 Cross Mountain Trail, San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to The Children's Shelter (San Antonio), St. Peter-St. Joseph Children's Home, San Antonio Pets Alive, or the Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption.