Mary Alma Hamlin passed from this earthly life to her heavenly life to be forever in the loving presence of the Almighty Father and her Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary Alma was born in West Point, Mississippi, to loving mature parents William Rooker and Margie Willis Hamlin during the war year of 1942. She was 73 when she passed away on June 25, 2016. She was reared on a farm in Clay County among a loving, extended family with grandparents John Christopher and Alma Henderson Willis living close by on adjoining land. She graduated from West Point High School; having enjoyed four years on the first team of girls' basketball and was honored as an all-conference guard.

She lived a year in Washington, D.C., with her aunt Irene Willis, worked as a secretary at Coast Guard Headquarters, enjoyed the D. C. sights, and began her love of theater. She returned home to attend Mississippi State University in Starkville. While there, she was in Phi Mu Sorority, a cheerleader, and a campus Favorite. She married her football player sweetheart, John Norris Sparks and had three beautiful children.

The family moved to Panama City, Florida, in 1976. She enrolled at the University of West Florida branch campus in Panama City, completed a degree in special education and began teaching elementary students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Bay County. She loved the children and families she worked with and made a significant difference in many lives.

She was always a student and learner. She took a Master's Degree from Florida State University and a Specialist in Education from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. She also was a student of the Bible, studying under women and pastors of great faith. She saw traveling as a learning tool and joined several church mission teams to serve in third world countries and in Seattle, Washington. After 25 years of teaching, she retired, traveled even more and enjoyed wonderful visits with family and especially the grandchildren. She led a full life, loved her family and home, and was at peace and content with her life in Christ.

She was predeceased by her parents and two brothers William Rooker Hamlin, Jr. and Graham Walker Hamlin.

She is survived by three children: John Thomas Sparks (Kim), Deanna Leigh Strickland (Mark), and William Ronald Sparks (Lisa); seven grandchildren; one great grandchild; and one sister, Marie Hamlin Kelley (Olen), who lives on the home place; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mary Alma's life will be held at Forest Park United Methodist Church, Panama City, Florida, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 with Dr. John Friedman officiating. The family will receive friends and family from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the church (an hour before the service). At the family request, for all of those attending please be dressed appropriately colorful (No Black). A private burial service will be held later. Anyone desiring to make a contribution may do so in Mary Alma's memory to United Methodist Children's Home, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL 36177.