Karl Sparkman

Mr. Karl Sparkman, age 55, of Middleton, Tennessee departed this life Thursday morning, March 13, 2014 at his home.

A lifelong resident of Hardeman County, Mr. Sparkman was born August 22, 1958 to Mrs. Betty Rhyne Sparkman, who survives, and the late James Henry Sparkman. He graduated with the class of 1977 at Middleton High School and on July 2, 1983, he was united in marriage to the former Lisa Smith, who survives, at Woodrun Chapel. He was a part-time mail carrier in the Middleton, Saulsbury, and Pocahontas areas and owned Karl's Auto Glass in Saulsbury. He was a member of Saulsbury Baptist Church.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming. He was a girls' softball coach and loved his daughters and grandchildren very much. He was very proud of his grandsons and loved going to their baseball games. He was a big "Vols" fan and, as his family states, "bled orange."

In addition to his wife and mother, survivors include three daughters, Christin Sparkman Bodiford and husband Shawn of Pocahontas, Morgan Sparkman of Cordova, and Sidney Sparkman Garcia and husband Hugo of Memphis; a sister, Diane Putman and husband Glen of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and two grandchildren, Ryan Bodiford and Remington James Sparkman Bodiford.

Donations made in memory of Mr. Sparkman may be sent to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate) or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate).