Knox County native and McMinnville resident Martha Jean Sparkman Swafford, 79, died June 29 at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville after an extended illness.
She was an educator with the Warren County School System, a member of First United Methodist Church, and the daughter of the late Earl James and Edith Mae Kennedy Phillips. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by first husband Thomas D. Sparkman in 1974, and second husband John Swafford in 2005.
She is survived by sons and daughter-in-law James T. Sparkman of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., John and Cogi Sparkman of Knoxville; daughter and son-in-law Milla and Bill Gibbs of Augusta, Ga.; and grandchildren Lauren and Brooke Sparkman and David and Jack Gibbs.
A graveside service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Mt. View Cemetery with Bob Case officiating. Visitation is today from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at High’s.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) July 1, 2011