For most people, entering one’s golden years brings the prospect of slowing down, relaxing and taking time for oneself – usually after a lifetime of hard work. Many eagerly anticipate this time to metaphorically take a deep breath and focus on pursuits neglected during their working years.
In Muldrow, one exceptional individual has a different perspective. Meet Tina Sparkman, a vibrant soul, who at 64, sees her “second life” just beginning.
“Most people are slowing down, but I just keep going,” Sparkman beams.
Elected to the Muldrow Town Council in April, Sparkman possesses a genuine community spirit and a fervor for enhancing her surroundings.
“I just want to see things in our town improve. I’d like to see more businesses, people prosper, and the town cleaned up,” Sparkman says. “These things can make a huge difference.”
Sparkman had dreamt of running for office for years but was dedicated to assisting her husband in his construction business.
“After my husband died in 2017, I had the time, so I ran for council and was elected. I represent Ward 1,” she said.
Following her husband Dudley’s passing, Sparkman continued his construction business, now operating it alongside her grandson.
“When I first started working with my husband, I helped with painting, staining and being a ‘go-fer’ for whatever he needed. I didn’t have to worry about bidding on jobs or ordering materials. Once he passed away, I had to learn to do those things,” she said.
The business, Dudley Sparkman Construction, LLC, offers a range of services for the community – from painting to remodels.
Sparkman asserts that assisting people in improving their homes uplifts spirits, and she finds passion in witnessing the joy on their faces.
“We are fortunate that we don’t have to travel for work; we are here in our community, helping hometown folks and improving their lives,” she says.
Muldrow residents express that Sparkman’s dedication to her community is paramount. “Tina cares so much about our town and wants to see everyone live their best lives,” one resident said. Another notes that Tina has turned “what could have been crippling grief into a passion for her town.”
In November, Sparkman baked 11 pies for the free Thanksgiving dinner at Broadway Joe’s, owned by a family member.
“I baked two types of pies – pecan and walnut. If you’ve never had a walnut pie, you’ve got to try it,” Sparkman says, sharing a recipe passed down by her late mother-in-law, Mary Farrar, received in 1977 when she joined the family.
“Times are not good for any of us,” she said.
When Sparkman isn’t immersed in her business or representing her ward, she can be found at home, raising her eight-year-old granddaughter, London.
“At 64, I became a mother again,” she says. “People tell me that I am doing well raising her, but London is helping me out just as much by keeping me active, and by giving me a routine and responsibilities.”
A humble public servant who selflessly boosts her community, Sparkman has become what one community member calls “the angel Muldrow residents need right now.”
