Minnie Mae Sparks-Chaiyadej was born on October 3rd, 1948 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Robert and Ora (Owens) Sparks. She was raised with four brothers and four sisters, William, Robert, Wilburn, Roy, Ruby, Barbara, Vivian, and Lillian. She attended school in the Tahlequah School system and then took her University studies at Northeastern State University. She worked as a child care specialist. When she wasn’t working she was spending time with her favorite people on earth, her family. There was nothing that made her as happy as her children and grandchildren. Minnie loved to spend time reading a good book, doing a little shopping, or going out dancing. She possessed a wicked sense of humor and could banter with the best of them. Whenever there was a special needs adult needing TLC, there was a friend to be had in Minnie. Sisters were her favorite form of entertainment. And they could always make her laugh. She had a good heart and knew how to make people feel at ease. Her grandchildren were her biggest pride and joy, and she was their biggest fan. Her health began to fade and she passed from this life on December 1st, 2022 at her home in Tahlequah. She was 74 years old and will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother and father, one son, Tommy Lee Poe, four brothers, William Sparks, Robert Sparks, Wilburn Sparks, Roy Sparks, two sisters, Vivian Towie, and Lillian Birdtail, and a great granddaughter, Autumn Covey.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Sheila LaDawn Guthrie and husband Damien of Tahlequah, and Rebecca Concetta Shull and husband Tim of Claremore, OK. She is survived by two sisters, Ruby Perry and Barbara Perry both of Tahlequah. She will live on in her seven grandchildren, Ben Covey. Noah Manus, Elijah Manus, Rachel Manus, Samantha Poe, Andrew Shull, and Arabella Shull. There are also two great grandchildren, Warren Covey and Vada Manus Gay, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.
Graveside services for Minnie Mae Sparks-Chaiyadej will be held on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Price Cemetery with Jason Gann officiating.
Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.
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