Daisy Elma Sparkman

Daisy Elma Sparkman, 89 years old, long time resident of Corona, California passed away peacefully at her home of 57 years on October 21, 2020; with her daughter Darla by her side. Daisy was the only child to Drury Emerson and Mollie Mae Kent Emerson born in Morley, Missouri on June 10, 1931. Her parents were fruit pickers and followed the fruit from Missouri to California. Her family moved across the country to Corona in 1941. Daisy attended 16 elementary schools in one year; obviously her parents moved a lot and education was so very important to them - it didnt matter if Daisy was going to school for 1 day or for 1 week - she was going! Daisy graduated from Riverside Poly High School in Riverside, California. After high school she attended cosmetology school; where she met and became friends with Jackie Gunderson-Jensen. While working at the Fox Theatre in Riverside she met the love of her life, Eddie. In 1952 Daisy married Edward "Eddie" Sparkman aka "Sparky" a life-long coronian; they were married 54 years before his passing in November 2006. Daisy was a loving, caring, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a great friend to many. She was a homemaker that enjoyed and adored children. Daisy began volunteering in the Children's League; of what was at the time Corona Community Hospital. Daisy would hold, rock and read to the children for hours on end, for many years. When this program was no longer available, she continued volunteering at the Corona Regional Gift Shop where she was one of the buyers along with Gloria Lunetta. Daisy felt one of the fringe benefits to volunteering at the gift shop was that she got to accompany Gloria on shopping excursions to Los Angeles. One of the greatest things about Daisy was her enthusiasm and dedication to all the things that were near and dear to her. She volunteered nearly 50 years at Corona Regional Medical Center. Daisy immediately became grandma to any child she met. In her spare time Daisy enjoyed playing with neighborhood children, reading stories to them, playing kick ball, going on cruises, quilting, baking cookies and relaxing with a good book; she loved to read. Daisy was a part of a small group called the OLN- Our Ladies of the Neighborhood; they have been friends for over 50 years. The ladies would get together monthly and quilt, share recipes and do cookie exchanges, Secret Santa gifting, they shared lots of laughter and some tears over the years. Darla and Daisy were best friends, they did everything together, went on road trips, went to beach (Blackie's) and had her Bud Lite in memory of her love Eddie, trips to the hairstylist, luncheons, you name it they did it…TOGETHER. Darla would even include her mom with her friends like the Chuck Wagon, American Legion; where she was center of attention (which anyone knowing her knew she loved attention, especially from the men). As Daisy begin to get older Darla became her 24/7 caregiver; so for the last 10 years they were inseparable and developed such a deep bond; that was admirable. Daisy is survived by her only daughter Darla Sparkman Dobbs Nadeau and son-in-law Mark Nadeau, Grandson, Dru Dobbs and his wife Mia and her great-granddaughter, Reagan. Please feel free to add your own special moments with Daisy by dropping a photo or comment for the family! A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. If anyone is interested in attending and want information about services please send an email to: [emailprotected]