Nancy Sparger

Nancy Worley Sparger, of Marion, VA, died March 6 at the age of 89. She was born and grew up in Pulaski. Upon graduation from Radford College, she moved to Marion where she taught school for two years and met her late husband, Haywood (Woody) Sparger. She worked at the Smyth Bland Library during the 1960-70s. She was preceded in death by son, Robert Sparger, who was married to Sara Hutchinson Staley (and who is now married to J. S. Staley); and daughter Sarah Staley, who was married to Denton Staley (brother of J.S. Staley above). Nancy is survived by her son, Merritt Sparger and wife Ann Grim Sparger, of Salem; daughter, Nancy Sparger Barker and her husband Mike Barker of Abingdon; son John Sparger and his wife Rebecca Patterson Sparger of Marion. She is also survived by 14 adored grandchildren and a beloved childhood friend, Kalima Tate, of Pulaski. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. The memorial service will be Saturday at First United Methodist at 1pm, and the family will receive friends immediately following the service in the sanctuary. Her ashes will be interred at Oakdale Cemetery, Mount Airy, NC with those of her husband. A special thanks from the family to the wonderful staff at Francis Marion Manor and Hospice of SW VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Pre-School, or to Smyth County Free Clinic, PO Box 1273, Marion, VA 24354, or to Holston United Methodist Children's Home, PO Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744.