- Date Of Birth: August 29, 1941
- Date Of Death: December 26, 2021
- State: Indiana
Amy Joanne (Poor) Sparks, age 80, passed away peacefully in her home the night of December 26th after returning from a joy-filled celebration of Christmas with her family. She was known as a committed educator, avid golfer, faithful member of the Trinity United Methodist Church choir, and devoted sister and aunt.
Amy was born in Plymouth, Indiana, on August 29, 1941 to the late Loyd Duaine and Mary Elizabeth (Woollen) Poor. She was raised in Warsaw, Indiana alongside her three brothers. After graduating from West Lafayette High School in 1959, she pursued a Bachelor’s and then Master’s in Education from Purdue University. In 1963, she began teaching Kindergarten at Linnwood Elementary School where she would continue to teach and inspire Kindergarten students for the next 40 years, retiring in 2003. She married the love of her life, Phillip Madison Sparks on July 1, 1989 and they lived a life full of joy and golf until his death December 1, 2009.
Amy had a strong commitment to education and to the Lafayette community. When Kappa Kappa Iota, a national honorary for teachers, created an Indiana chapter in 1968, both Amy and her mother, Mary Poor, were charter members. Amy then continued her service to education as a member of the Indiana Association for Childhood Education. She was a sister in Sigma Kappa at Purdue University and served as chapter president of the Lafayette alumnae group. She also volunteered numerous hours at Westminster Village West Lafayette, earning Volunteer of the Year in 2015 and 2019. Amy sang in the Lafayette Community Chorus at 4th of July concerts downtown, and as a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir until her death and cherished the friendships she made there.
She had a passion for golf and played an excellent game. She was repeat golf champion at Edwood Glen Country Club, won First Runner-Up in the Greater Lafayette Women’s Golf Association tournament for many years, played in the Indiana State Golf Tournament, and was elected as president of the Greater Lafayette Women’s Golf Association.
Amy had a deep commitment to her family, friends, and Christian faith that provided her with steadfast comfort and joy throughout her life. We are thankful for the many wonderful memories we have of Amy, and as we grieve the loss of having her with us, we simultaneously rejoice that she has received her eternal reward. She is survived by her three brothers, James (Marjorie) Poor of Scottsdale, AZ, Robert Poor of Granger, IN, and William (Elizabeth) Poor of Columbus, IN, her niece Suzanne (David) Younger, and great-niece and nephews John Paul, Elisabeth, and Peter Joseph Younger of Osceola, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband Phillip Sparks, and sister-in-law Judy (Harden) Poor.
th at Trinity United Methodist Church, 509 North Street, Lafayette, IN.
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