Irma Jean Sparks

July 2, 1934 - December 7, 2020

On Monday, December 7, 2020, Irma Jean (Johnson) Sparks, 86, of Broken Arrow, passed away after a brief battle with COVID-19. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Irma was born July 2, 1934 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Frank and Pauline (Cathey) Johnson. She was a faithful member of South BA Baptist. Irma enjoyed gardening, puzzles, walking Shawnee (her dog), and laughing any time she could….at a joke or at herself. She made friends easily and always wanted to help people, volunteering in many capacities over the years. She was especially happy to have come back home to Oklahoma after living around the country for much of her adult life. She loved being part of her extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews and their families. Irma was a 1952 graduate of Shawnee High School and a 1956 graduate of Oklahoma A&M where she was a sister in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and earned designation into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. During her rich and blessed life, she was a Registered Dietician who worked in various capacities including in hospitals and as a teacher/professor at Memphis State University. Irma was also an active golfer and tennis player. Her family was her pride and joy; she loved seeing how her grandchildren, Kristopher Chesterman and his wife Christina, Michael Chesterman and his wife Stephanie, Howard Sparks IV (James), and Kaitlyn Sparks (Katie) had grown into such wonderful adults. She also loved playing with her young great-grandchildren: Ryder, Analyn, Aralei, Avaleigh, and Kristian Chesterman. She would spend as much time as they wanted doing whatever they wanted and they knew any mischief would garner laughter from their great-grandma! Irma was preceded in death by her husband of almost 52 years, Howard. Her parents, her sister, Nomah Lee Trachsel, and her twin brother, Harold Dean “Curly” Johnson, also preceded Irma in death. She is survived by her children, Sandra Jean Chesterman, Howard James Sparks III, his wife, Linda G. Sparks, as well as her four grandchildren and five great–grandchildren. Visitation for those who desire will be Sunday, December 13 from 3:00-5:00 pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home. A funeral service to celebrate Irma’s life will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, December 14, 2020 at South BA Baptist with private interment to follow at Floral Haven Cemetery. Masks and social distancing will be adhered to through all services. The funeral service will also be broadcast via Facebook Live accessible through the South BA Baptist website (http://facebook.com/southbabaptist). While anyone is welcome to attend the visitation or funeral, please know that the family understands and encourages attending “virtually” through the Facebook live feed (the service will also be recorded and available for later viewing). Additionally, PLEASE write any funny anecdotes/stories about Irma on the tribute wall so we can incorporate them into the service (no story is too silly!). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irma Sparks’ honor to South BA Baptist or to the charity of the giver’s choosing.