Mrs. Dahlia Bell Williamson Sparkman, 96, was born in Cookeville, the daughter of Ira and Maggie Williamson, in 1918. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Edward Paul Sparkman, and son Ira Hugh Sparkman.She spent 42 years in the field of education, teaching at Taft and Doyle Elementary Schools and retired after serving seven years as White County supervisor of special education.Beloved by neighbors and friends in the Doyle community, she served as grand marshal of the “Old Timers’ Day” parade and was honored by a luncheon at the First National Bank of Sparta. She was elected Teacher of the Year by her peers several times.She is survived by her three daughters, Lyn (Jerry) Bradshaw of Morrison, Pat (Gerald) Martin of Bell Buckle, Camilla Sparkman of Old Hickory, daughter-in-law Christy Sparkman of Snellville, Ga., and sister Wilma Diemer of Cookeville.Her grandchildren are David Bradshaw of Memphis, Paul Martin (Kendel) of Austin, Texas, Jerry (Cyndee) Martin of Nashville, Jera (Adam) Ragan of Dallas, Texas, Michael Riccio and Leigh Riccio of Atlanta, Ga. Great-granddaughters are Georgia and Harper Martin of Nashville, and Delaney White of Austin, Texas.Honorary pallbearers will be members of the White County Retired Teachers Association.