Elizabeth "Liz" Smalley Sparks

As the sun rose on March 4, 2021, while all was still, Elizabeth “Liz” Sparks left her earthly home for a place in heaven.  Elizabeth Smalley Sparks was born in Gallup, NM on April 20th, 1932 to Royal Ensign Smalley & Helen Schauer Smalley.  Elizabeth is preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald O’Neal Sparks, Sr. son John B. Sparks, sisters Helen Radosevich, Mary Ortega and brother Joseph Smalley.  Elizabeth attended Cathedral High School in Gallup, NM and graduated in 1950.  She went on to Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she received her Associate Degree and graduated in 1951.   When she returned to Gallup she met Donald and they were married on April 5, 1952.  Elizabeth is survived by her children; Allison (Tom) Kozeliski of Corrales, NM, Patricia (Glenn) Perkal of Aurora CO; Donald O’Neal (Liz) Sparks Jr. of Gallup, NM; J. Scott (Lexie) Sparks of Longmont, CO; Rhonda J. Sparks of Clovis, NM; Linda (Sparks) Schenkel of Albuquerque, NM; and by her brother John H. Smalley, his wife Janice (Woods) Smalley of Albuquerque, NM and her brother-in-law Lotario D. Ortega from Albuquerque, NM.  Elizabeth is also survived by her 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth was brilliant, funny, stubborn, sassy, loved to read, play Bridge, work crossword puzzles and was never afraid to “tell it like it is”. She loved her family fiercely and would have done anything for any one of them. She was quite the woman and really did have an incredible life. Elizabeth beat breast cancer, was a gritty example of a working mom of 5 kids way before her time, one hell of a bookkeeper and hosted the best Christmas Eves ever. Her family was so lucky to have had her in their lives.  She will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held on March 20, 2021 at Church of the Incarnation, 2309 Monterrey Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM with a rosary service beginning at 10:30 am and Mass to follow at 11 am. Daniels Family Funeral Services - Sara Rd. on 4310 Sara Rd. Rio Rancho, NM is in charge of arrangements.