Clara 'Genevieve' Sparks

Clara Genevieve Sparks, the daughter of Watson and Clara Bottenfield Barton, was born June 4, 1924 in Altoona, PA. As a young child, both of her parents passed away and she was raised by her grandmother. She received her early education and graduated from Bedford High School in Pennsylvania. On September 11, 1942, Genevieve married Fred Barkley Sparks in Winchester, Virginia. Following their marriage, while Fred served in W.W.II, Genevieve worked to support the war effort. She moved to Denver, CO and later to Oakland, CA where she worked as a Bill of Laden Clerk on the ship docks. After Fred's honorable discharge, they lived in Everett, PA until moving to Paullina, IA, in 1948. They moved to Spencer in 1952, and then to Greenville in 1955, where they made their home. Genevieve was a member of the Grace Congregational Church in Greenville, IA, where she has been an active member and served with the Ladies Fellowship since 1955. In her spare time, Genevieve enjoyed painting, reading and gardening. Genevieve passed away at the Spencer Hospital on April 26, 2014, at the age of 89. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred on December 3, 1990; brother, Gerald; half-brother, Simon; half-sister, Daisy; and daughter-in-law, Joann Sparks. She is survived by her daughter, Yvonne Daugherty and her husband, Roger of Greenville, IA; 2 sons: Russell of Troutman, NC and Dwight and his wife, Diane of Spencer, IA; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

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