Kathryn Biggers

Kathryn Sparks Biggers. 96, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018. She was born in Melrose, New Mexico on July 8, 1922 to Samuel Elijah Sparks and Leta Clemens Sparks. Her early years were spent at the Cottonwood Grove west of Melrose. When she was 9 years old she was running the cash register and helping cook for large crowds. These 2 activities were precursors of her life skills.

Kathryn attended school in Perry, New Mexico. She won penmanship, whistling, and piano awards. She also played baseball on the boys team. She was the pitcher and received a broken nose when the ball was hit back at her.

Kathryn attended the Lippert's Business School in Plainview, Texas and received a court reporting certificate. She worked for 5 years with a law firm.

In 1942 she married Clifford Oscar Biggers. During WWII, Kathryn worked at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas in accounting and bookkeeping.

After the war the family moved to Clovis, New Mexico. Kathryn was involved in the Methodist Church, volunteering in the schools and started the hot lunch program at Eugene Field Elementary school.

In 1952 the family moved to Melrose, New Mexico. Kathryn was again involved in church activities, school activities, cooked meals for Rotary Club, played the organ at the Methodist Church for about 60 years, worked as office manager for 17 years at the Farmers Elevator in Melrose, and ended her working career with Alco Pools in Clovis as the office manager for 13 years.

Kathryn belonged to the United Methodist Women's groups, was Citizen of the Year of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce and supported Melrose community events.

Kathryn was dedicated to her church. Over the years she held many church offices, organized numerous family night dinners, sandhill church picnics, led youth groups and was a faithful church member.

She enjoyed entertaining, hosting family dinners, horseback riding, drawing house plans to scale, her grandchildren, singing, playing the piano, organ and accordion, whistling and bright red lipstick. When she was 90 she shot a rattlesnake with a .22 rifle. What an amazing strong woman!

Kathryn is survived by her daughter Darla and husband Roland of Portales, New Mexico, son Randy and wife Diane of Levelland, Texas, brother Allen and wife Nancy of Ft. Sumner. New Mexico and brother Carl Sparks of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is survived by 4 grandchildren; Valerie Wade. Michele (John) Dansby. Melanie (Nathan) Winkle and Stephanie (Jason) Sullivan; 13 great grandchildren. Jaclyn (Brian) Roberts, Tiffany (Kyle) Linker, Leah (Trent) Gary, Rachael (Joel) Olufowote, Jonathan (Haley) Dansby, Joshua Dansby, Caleb Dansby, Meagan and Matthew Winkle. Chase and Savannah Smithson, Grayson and Brooklyn Sullivan; 8 great, great grandchildren, Addison and Brady Roberts, Cael, Caedmon, Cace and Anna Gary, Jethro and Mercy Dansby.

Kathryn was preceded in death by husband Clifford Biggers, brother, Harlan Sparks; daughter, Twyla Wade; grandsons, Mark Wade and Brent Smithson.

Services will be held at Melrose United Methodist Church in Melrose, New Mexico at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018, with graveside services immediately following. Memorial donations may be sent to the Memorial Fund or Jingle Bell Benevolence Fund at the Melrose United Methodist Church.

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