Yola (Tina) Sparling of West Lafayette, IN and formerly of Sun City Center, FL, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 5:00 AM at IU Health Hospital. As sad as we are to lose our wonderful mother and grandmother (Nana), we are very happy to know that she has been reunited with some very special loved ones that have previously passed.
Tina was born in Burneyville, Oklahoma to Orville and Gertrude (Northcutt) Routt on September 19, 1931. She was the youngest daughter of two, penned with the nickname of Teeny. A few short months later, Teeny and her sister Betty were left motherless, and taken in to be raised by her paternal grandparents, Charley and Virdie Routt. In the early 40’s, the family left Oklahoma and moved to California.
Tina was married for time and eternity to William Wesley Sparling (Bill) in Washington, DC in the LDS Temple on Jan 24, 1975.
Surviving Tina are five daughters – Iris (Larry) White-Wynns, Fort Myers, FL; Cinda (Randy) Horton, Lafayette, IN; Andi (Phil) Carter, St George, UT; Sheila (Stan) Gallegos, Taylorsville, UT; Jenny (Lee) Davis, Mesa, AZ; and one son, Neil Sparling, Park City, UT. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and one very special grand kitty (Sherbert). She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, one son (Charles K. Loftis), and one grandson (Jason).
Tina retired from Hillsborough County, State of Florida, where she managed the Marriage License Bureau. She loved her job, and performed several hundred marriages over the years. Many fun and colorful stories were shared.
She had many interests – she loved to make ceramics, read, do crossword puzzles, family history, sewing, shopping. Most of all, she loved her family. She always had mail because she always stayed in touch with her cousins, sister, aunts and uncles. She always sent cards to her grandkids, and she talked with her daughters frequently, if not daily. She never stopped being a mother, which included advice, worry, comfort and sharing. She was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in all of the auxiliaries in the church.
There will be a funeral service held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3224 Jasper St, West Lafayette, on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 11 am. There will be a visitation prior to the funeral from 10-11. Bishop Chad Allred will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta, Oklahoma.