Mary Kathryn Sparks Alexander

December 14, 1927 - February 22, 2022

Mary Kathryn Sparks Alexander, age 94, Knoxville, was welcomed by her Lord, her husband, and a host of family and friends in heaven on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The oldest of six children, born and raised in Waynesville, NC, she graduated from Cecil’s Business College in Asheville. As a young woman she moved to Maryville to work for ALCOA. Soon after, she met her husband, married and left her job to enjoy raising her family. She dedicated her life to being a wife, homemaker and mother, lovingly serving her family, church and community. She lived her life using her gifts to serve, love, support, and give of herself, always putting others first. She continued to live in Maryville after the death of her husband in 1982 and then moved to Knoxville in 1997 to be near her daughters and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Sparks, husband, Carroll G. Alexander, Jr., brothers, Charles Sparks and wife Jean, William Sparks and wife Vera, brother-in-law John Alexander and special cousin Marcia Arrington Waters. Lovingly remembered by daughters and sons-in-law, Gennie and Bob Whitaker, Carol Ann and Karl Frederick, cherished grandchildren, Caroline Whitaker and Alex Whitaker, sister Shirley Scruggs and husband Johnny, brothers Tom Sparks and wife Sue, and Doug Sparks and wife Betty Sue and sister-in-law Johnnie Alexander. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of The Nursing Center at Little Creek for their excellent and loving care for the past 16 months which has been especially challenging during the pandemic. Family and friends will gather for a receiving of friends and celebration of life on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Rose Funeral and Cremation - Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike, with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial at Grandview Cemetery, Maryville, TN will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers donations in Kathryn’s memory may be made to her home church Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd, Maryville, TN 37803. Arrangements by Rose Funeral and Cremation – Mann. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com.