HELEN MARIE SQUIRES SPARKS, 77, passed
away on Feb. 16, 2012, after a courageous battle
with Alzheimer's disease.
She was born Oct. 21, 1934 in Ranger, TX raised on
the family farm with her parents, Riley & Syntha
Squires, and her three siblings. Helen attended
Ranger High School in the Class of 1951. Upon
moving to California, Helen married Darrell Sparks
and had three children - Darla, Denise, & Darrell.
Helen was a long serving, dedicated employee of
the Kern County Sheriffs Department. She had a love
and was passionate for her job as the department's
first female Technical Investigator. She was always
keeping herself educated on the latest investigation
techniques including training at Quantico FBI school.
Helen enjoyed being with her co-workers at Kern Law
Enforcement Association.
Helen was a very active mother involved in all her
children's sports, dance, and baton events. She
often donated her time sewing costumes and driving
to parades and sporting events. Helen was a member
of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and was involved in
many fund raising events. She also enjoyed vacations
with her family at Pine Flat Lake, water-skiing and
camping. She enjoyed hanging out by the pool and
barbecuing with family. She made the occasional trip
to Las Vegas by way of Barstow to visit family.
She is survived by her daughter Darla Montgomery and
husband Steve Montgomery, daughter Denise Sparks, and
son Darrell Sparks, as well as 12 grandchildren and a
growing number of great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death are her parents Riley Squires
& Syntha Squires and 3 siblings, daughter-in-law Angela
"Ghilarducci" Sparks, and grandson Derek Sparks. Her
siblings were Ernest Squyres (RHS-1940), Eunice Squyres
Cole (RHS-1944), & Lois Squyres Baulch (RHS-1939).