Marguriete Sparks, 97, of Latham, Kansas, formerly of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Burial in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO. Contributions are suggested to Heartland Baptist Fellowship in Harrisonville.

Bessie Marguriete "Riete" Sparks was born in Yates Center, KS, to James Robert and Rossie Lenora (Wyble) Burrus on May 10, 1928. Her life was devoted to God and her family. On June 3, 1946, she married Joseph Tyndall Sparks, a union that lasted over 70 years. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, she worked as a homemaker and later years in both sewing and manufacturing, eventually retiring from Calmar in Lee's Summit.

Riete's faith was a testament to an unshakeable trust in God's goodness. When confronted with adversity her first response was to pray. Afterward, she was often heard to say, "It's in the Lord's hands now," and that was that. She worshiped at Antioch Southern Baptist Church, Westside Baptist Church, and Heartland Baptist Fellowship, all in Harrisonville, MO, and Latham Methodist Church. She was well loved by her fellow believers.

An avid reader, she read her Bible cover-to-cover countless times, but also enjoyed fiction and crossword and word search puzzles. She made her own pickles and candied beets and was a skilled baker. Riete especially enjoyed crochet, making many afghans and other items for her family and friends. These skills she passed on to her family, who are blessed by her patience and skill.

Riete entered Paradise on August 24, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; one brother; an infant son, Samuel Ray Sparks; grandson, Jeffery Brandon Sparks; son-in-law, Jerry Davis; and her husband, Joe Sparks. Riete is survived by three children: Joseph Tyndall (JT) Sparks, Jr. of Butler, MO; Georgia Lenora Davis of Latham, KS; William Robert Sparks (Patricia) of Harrisonville, MO; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Her life was a testament to God's abiding love and steadfastness.