Martha Jean Sparkman SWAFFORD

McMinnville resident and Knox County, TN native Martha Jean Sparkman Swafford, age 79, was born March 7, 1932 and died June 29, 2011 at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, TN following an extended illness. A retired educator and member of the First United Methodist Church, she was the daughter of the late Earl James and Edith Mae Kennedy Phillips. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands, Thomas D Sparkman and John Swafford. She is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law, James T. Sparkman of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and John and Cogi Sparkman of Knoxville, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Milla and Bill Gibbs of Augusta, GA and two grandchildren, Lauren and Brooke Sparkman and David and Jack Gibbs. A graveside service and interment was held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2011 at Mt. View Cemetery with Bob Case officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church c/o High's.