- Date Of Birth: March 7, 1918
- Date Of Death: September 1, 2011
- State: Texas
March 7, 1918 – September 1, 2011
Zola Laconia (Scott) Sprowls passed away gently in Boerne, TX, on September 1st with her family by her side. Zola was born to Augustus and Lillie Scott in West Plains, MO. Shortly after her birth the family moved to a farm in Roll, OK, where Zola grew up with her 7 sisters and brothers. She excelled in school and graduated from Strong City high school as valedictorian when only 16. She attended Weatherford Teachers College in Weatherford, OK, to obtain her teaching certificate. She began teaching when she was 18 at the one room Clear Springs School near Roll, OK. She married John Fremont Sprowls at the end of the school year in 1938. They moved to Stillwater, OK , where they both attended Oklahoma A&M. Zola completed her baccalaureate degree after two years and began teaching at Perkins, OK, while Fremont finished his degree. When the war started, Fremont was working on the AT&SF railroad and the family lived in New Mexico. Their first child, Lillie Maree was born in 1943. After the war, they moved to Aztec, NM, where Zola taught 3rd grade. Their second child, John Fremont, Jr. was born in 1946. In 1952 they moved to Portland, Oregon, and Zola taught in the Parkrose School District until her retirement in 1976 when she was honored as Parkrose”s Teacher of the Year. Zola was an active member of the Parkrose First Baptist Church in Portland and served in many responsible positions of leadership. She was an expert naturalist and conducted nature hikes for students at summer camps. She received her Master”s Degree in Education from the University of Oregon while in Portland. She was an avid photographer and her photographs are a great legacy for her family. She and Fremont were golfers and RVers enjoying many great times with their friends and family. In 1986, Fremont passed away and Zola moved to San Antonio, TX, to be near her son”s family. She also made frequent trips to North Carolina to be with her daughter”s family. She joined Trinity Baptist Church and was very active in the Senior Programs. She helped establish the Trinity Ukulele Band, was a member of Sonshine Singers, was a member of the Joy Choir, actively participated in the XYZ program, and worked in the Tapes ministry. She faithfully played the piano for the weekly Sunday services at the Alamo KOA campground for many years. She was recognized with numerous awards for her volunteer services at Trinity. Zola was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Lillie Maree Garrett and her husband Jimmie, her son, John Fremont Sprowls, Jr., and his wife Kristina, grandchildren Kirsten Williams, Joel Sprowls, Traci Harris, Travis Garrett and 9 great grandchildren.
