Alice Cotton Sparks

Alice Juanita Robertson Cotton Sparks was born on January 4, 1920, in Nephi, Utah, to Maud Bowers Robertson and John Edward Robertson.  Alice died peacefully, as she wanted it, from complications incident to age in her own home surrounded by family and friends.

At age six the small family moved to Long Beach, California, where her father opened a grocery store.  Alice went to school in Long Beach.  She graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 1938 and went to business college.  Her first job was at the telephone company. In high school she met the love of her life, John Harold Cotton (Jack).  They were married in Las Vegas September 21, l940.  Jack preceded her in death September 29, 1972.  Marriage solemnized in Jordan River Temple in 1999. She married Earl Sparks in 1980. He died in 1984.

In 1954 Jack and Alice returned to Nephi where Jack opened Jack's Refrigeration and Appliance.  Later, Alice and Jack moved back to Long Beach in l964.  There she worked for the welfare department and headed her department.

She moved back to Utah in 1973 where she worked as an administrative assistant for the Salt Lake Airport Traffic Control.  She finished her career as the office manager at the Salt Lake Home giving service to the elderly.

She did not waste her years after retirement.  She put in many hours as a pink lady at Cottonwood Hospital and did extractions and indexing for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

She loved to play the organ.  It brought her great joy in her later years.  She loved being out of doors.  A picnic in the mountains by a stream was heaven to her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, and two daughters, Pamela Russell and Kathy Cotton.  She had four children, Michael John Cotton (Jo); John Edward Cotton (Cherie), Pamela Russell; and Kathy Cotton; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

The family thanks the following for the wonderful and loving care given: Karen and Scott Curtis, Ina and Annette from hospice, and Tifanny So, her granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 13, at 11 a.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State St., Midvale, with a viewing one hour prior to services. Interment, Vine Bluff Cemetery, Nephi.