Carolyn Louise Sparks

Carolyn Louise Conrad Sparks

Carolyn Sparks, 80, passed away on October 5, 2025 in Amarillo, Texas. Carolyn was born to the late Leo Conrad and Louise Troutman Conrad in Amarillo, Texas on April 2, 1945.

Memorial service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. 

Carolyn grew up in Claude, Texas. She graduated as the salutatorian from Claude High in 1963. She played clarinet in the band where she was drum major and was the Band Sweetheart her senior year. She was also the editor for the yearbook her senior year. After high school, Carolyn attended Texas Tech University for a couple of years for her undergraduate degree and then transferred to the University of Texas in Austin where she received her BSN in 1968. She returned to UT in 1971 and completed her MSN with major in medsurg/psychiatric nursing and minor in teaching in 1975. She was a member of the National Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau. She taught nursing for the University of New Mexico, Amarillo College and West Texas State University nursing programs. Carolyn practiced nursing in Amarillo for over 35 years. She met the love of her life, Stan Sparks, in 1971. Together they raised two girls, Carissa and Channing.

Carolyn was the epitome of an “old school” nurse. She was constantly scrubbing things down to make sure there weren’t germs spreading around. The usual cleaning agent was bleach and she was considered the “Clorox Queen”. She was a compassionate nurse that tried to always do what was best for her patients and advocate for them. She set the standard for her family on what good nursing care looks like and what it truly means to have a servant heart for others.

Carolyn had a love of gardening and flowers, which she shared with Stan for many years. She loved her rose bushes, especially her Mr. Lincoln. Her hot pink geraniums always had to be positioned where she could see them from multiple windows. She also enjoyed visiting the local miniature shows to see all the wonderful designs and started collecting miniatures of all kinds.

She enjoyed attending her kids’ and grandkids’ events from sports games to awards programs. Carolyn was a champion for education and was usually the loudest cheerleader on the sidelines. Carolyn was faithful in celebrating her family with cards or notes for special occasions, holidays or just a note of encouragement. She had the most beautiful penmanship and it was a joy to receive something in the mail from her.

One of her greatest joys was giving everyone in the family Hallmark Christmas ornaments to cherish for years to come. This tradition started when she and Stan first were married and moved to Santa Fe. She realized that she didn’t have any special ornaments for their first tree together. She decided then that she didn’t want anyone in her family to have that feeling and gave ornaments every year for children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Another tradition she loved and carried on with her daughters and granddaughter was baking. Every year around Christmas time, she would make peach cakes and deliver one to everyone in their neighborhood. Carissa and Channing grew up doing this tradition with her, but the torch was passed down to Mattie.

Carolyn had a passion for pictures and family genealogy, which must have started with her being the editor for her school yearbook. With help from her cousins, she created “family books” for the Conrads and Troutmans. She was very proud of her family and was very pleased the family has a memento to look at for generations to come.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Stan Sparks, her parents, brother Raymond Conrad, sister-in-law Anne Conrad, brother-in-law Bill Sparks, sister-in-law Glenda Sparks, and brother-in-law Cecil Myers.

Her memory will be carried on by her daughter Carissa Nichols and husband, Kirk of Amarillo; daughter Channing Sparks of Amarillo; 3 grandchildren, Ashton Nichols and wife Morgan of Amarillo, Texas; Spencer Nichols and fiancé Annette Linahan of Amarillo, Texas; and Mattie Nichols of Amarillo; 2 great-grandchildren, Oliver and Owen Nichols of Amarillo; brother Glenn Conrad of Claude, TX; sister-in law Joan Conrad of Claude, TX; sister-in-law and built in best friend Patsy Myers of Amarillo, TX; nieces Shannon Cornell and husband Clint of Claude, TX; Chris Hall and husband Mark of Canyon, TX; Cory Thornton and husband Cade of Weathterford, TX; and Sean Conrad and wife Christy of Midland, TX; niece Suzanne Burgess and husband Brad of Lubbock, TX; nephew Clay Myers and wife Jackie of Felt, OK; niece Kelley Grimes and Husband Marvin of Lubbock, TX; as well as her beloved Troutman and Conrad cousins. She also leaves behind several grand and great-grand dogs.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to: Dr. Cody Welch and his staff for the years of kindness and care they provided to Carolyn; Omega for the outstanding healing care and emotional support she provided; Fay for the years of helping her in her daily life; Jeannie Goodin, her life-long friend of 75 years who was by her side for everything; and her dear neighbors, Patti and Dennis for all of their love and help over the years.

Remembrance gifts can be sent to Snack Pack 4 Kids