Alene Benson Sparks

Alene Benson Sparks passed from this life on March 26, 2020, at the age of 93 in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Alene was born on January 7, 1927, in Brunswick, Missouri. She was the daughter of Walter F and Gladys Lorene (Penick) Benson. As a young child, Alene moved to Pawnee County with her parents.
She received her schooling at Stony Point School near Blackburn, Oklahoma. In the 7th grade, Alene began attending school in Hallett and later graduated with the Class of 1944. Following high school, Alene attended Oklahoma A&M. She later graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education. Her first teaching job was in Terlton, Oklahoma, before moving to House New Mexico. While in New Mexico, she was united in marriage to Fred Sparks Sparks on June 18, 1950. The couple resided in Clovis, New Mexico, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, before returning to Oklahoma. Alene was also an educator at Yale and Cleveland, Oklahoma, in the early 1970s. Alene and Fred lived abroad for several years. Some of the places were India, Ethiopia, Bangkok, and Vietnam. In the mid-1960s, she returned to Cleveland, where she has continued to reside.

Upon her return, Alene began volunteering at the Cleveland Hospital. She was a "Pink Lady" serving as president for over 30 years. The Cleveland Auxiliary was started in 1963, and she has been involved since the inception of the organization. Alene was also active in the Business Professional Women, Friends of the Library, Portable Meals, Cleveland Area Senior Center, Pawnee County Free Clinics, and the Chamber of Commerce. She has also served as the Pioneer Day Grand Marshall in 2006, Beta Sigma Phi Citizen of the Year in 1996. In 1974, Alene purchased the furniture store from Henley and Oletha Annett and operated it as Alene's Home Furnishings until 1989.

Alene has been a faithful member of the First Christian Church participating in all of the women's activities. She has often stated that her favorite time of her life has been "being able to live in other countries. Those opportunities have allowed her to see and participate in different cultures and customs."

Alene is one lady who chose not to sit at home in her retirement years but has continued to make a difference in the lives of the people who call Cleveland their home.

Survivors are her brother in law Clyde Kindell of Denison, Texas; niece Kay Neasbitt of Denison, Texas; two nephews Michael Kindell of Denison, Texas, Gary Kindell of Chandler, Oklahoma and a host of other relatives and friends. Alene was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Joan Kindell.

Services will be held 2:00 pm, Sunday at the IOOF Cemetery in Maramec Cemetery with Pastor David Logsdon with officiating. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Alene at www.chapman-black.com.





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