Janet Lee (Cowper) Sparkman | July 10, 1950 – September 24, 2023
Janet Lee (Cowper) Sparkman was born on July 10, 1950 to William and Jean Cowper in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Welcomed by her grandmother, “Nornie” and older brother, Bill; she was followed by beloved siblings Claudia, Jon, and Jennifer. As children they were kept very active in church at May Avenue UMC, as well as many school and Campfire activities. From an early age, Janet learned to share her cooking, baking, sewing, and creating beautiful things for the people she loved. Among the highlights of her teen years were the opportunities to volunteer as a docent at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and chaperoning her brother Jon’s trip to New York City where she saw Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway.
Janet graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1968, enrolling in the University of Oklahoma where she studied English with concentrations in Philosophy and Library Science. During college Janet worked in the OU Physics and Law Libraries and as librarian for the American Indian Oral History Project; she also worked as a telephone switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell, part of a long family tradition of working for the phone company. But most importantly, it was during college that Janet came to believe in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Janet met her husband, Wayne, through a student ministry at OU. After Wayne returned from his army service in 1975, they became engaged and were married on May 23, 1976. They moved to Philadelphia that summer where Wayne studied at Westminster Seminary and Janet worked in the library at Beaver College. They attended New Life Presbyterian Church and were greatly impacted by the ministry of Dr. C. John Miller.
Returning to Oklahoma in 1979, Janet and Wayne welcomed their first child, Jeremy, on June 13, 1980. Born with severe mental and physical disabilities from congenital Hydrocephalus, Janet took on the care and nurture of Jeremy with a fierce passion and dedication that lasted her entire life. In 1982 Janet gave birth to their daughter Heather, who learned from her mother to love and create beautiful things.
Janet was dedicated to her family, supporting Wayne in his business and ministry as an elder at Christ Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, OK while raising their children, teaching Sunday School and Summer Bible School, volunteering at The Little Light House where Jeremy attended school, and homeschooling Heather. Janet loved musicals and classic movies, Mexican food, purple irises, red tulips, and had an eye for many other beautiful things. She shared this love with her daughter, begrudgingly but lovingly letting Heather use her art supplies.
The family moved to St. Louis in 1995; though it was initially believed to be a short-term move, St. Louis quickly became home, settling in as members at The Covenant Presbyterian Church while Wayne studied at Covenant Seminary. Janet returned to work in 1998 at the J. Oliver Buswell Library on the seminary campus, applying her skillful hands to repairing and mending books. After taking his role as Director of the PCA Historical Center, Janet and Wayne worked together in the same building until she retired in 2021.
Since 2013 Janet battled kidney disease, which slowly limited the things she wanted to do in her daily life; but she grew greatly in her faith during this time, understanding anew the wideness of God’s mercy and grace when she could do nothing. Writing of her battle with kidney disease, Janet said, “To be a [kidney] warrior, I have to know what I am fighting for, and what I am fighting against. I am battling for my life, a longer life with my family and a good quality to my life. I am fighting against letting kidney disease take over my life. In the end, I will not win the war; we all must die. But I know that losing the war will give me a new life forever with my God and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though I look forward to this, I will fight every battle along the way and fight to win those battles.”
Despite the many health issues, Janet’s life was still punctuated with many wonderful things – such as a trip to Ireland in 2000 for her fiftieth birthday – but the real glory of her life was the faithful dedication she gave to her family and friends. Fiercely loyal and protective, she cared for and loved them with every fiber of her being. She had a quick temper and plenty to tell you when she was mad, but she was equally as ready to welcome you in her home, serve a delicious homemade meal, and send you away with leftovers and maybe some surprises like a full set of dishes or a new coat. Giving meaningful gifts was her natural inclination to show her love, and she loved abundantly.
Janet was predeceased by her sisters, Claudia and Jennifer, and is survived by her husband, Wayne, son Jeremy and daughter Heather; brothers Bill and Jon; nephews, nieces, and many dear friends.
Janet was interred on September 27 at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. A memorial service is to be held The Covenant Presbyterian Church in November.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Janet’s memory to one of the following organizations that had significant meaning to her:
- PCA Historical Center, St. Louis, MO
- The Little Light House, Tulsa OK
- Webster Arts, Webster Groves, MO