Thelma Bruckner Sparkman

Mrs. Thelma Bruckner Sparkman, Career Educator, passed away Friday June 10 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS, after a brief illness. Funeral Services were held 11:00AM Saturday 6/18/2022 at Eupora First Baptist Church in Eupora, MS with burial in Greensboro Cemetery in Webster County, MS. Rev. Travis Gray and Rev. John Herring officiated. Pallbearers were; Vince Torrance, Guy Bruckner, Bobby Bruckner, Barry Bruckner, Michael Bruckner, Christopher Robinson and Wallace Arrington. Mrs. Sparkman was born in 1936 in Marks Mississippi. The oldest of six children born to Bob & Ruth Bruckner, Mrs. Sparkman was raised on the family farm on Sunflower Plantation in Sunflower County. Instilled with a loving Christian upbringing and a strong work ethic, Thelma thrived in her studies and was very active at Sunflower Church of the Nazarene. Thelma knew at an early age she wanted to be a teacher and to make a difference in the lives of kids. Receiving her Associate Degree from Mississippi Delta Junior College, Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Trevecca Nazarene College and a Masters Degree in education from the University of Mississippi. With close to forty years of teaching experience, Mrs. Sparkman enriched the lives of hundreds of kids across several states. Starting her career in Vaughn, New Mexico, then House Springs, Missouri and eventually moving back to Mississippi to finish her career at several schools across North Mississippi. After a brief courtship, Thelma married the love of her life Thomas Upton Sparkman in June of 1967. Upton & Thelma enjoyed 47 years of marital bliss until his passing in 2014. Thelma is survived by her Sister-in-Law; Jane Sparkman, Eupora, MS, her sister; Janie Bruckner Torrance, Randolph, MS, her brother; Bobby (Marilyn) Bruckner, Merritt Island, FL, and Upton’s right-hand man Wallace Arrington & several nieces, nephews & in-laws also survive. Thelma was preceded in death by her Husband Upton Sparkman, Mother & Father Ruth & Bob Bruckner. Brothers Tommy & Aubrey Bruckner & Sister Virginia Russell.