FORTVILLE
Betty Geneva Johnson Sparling, 90 years of age and residing in Fortville, Indiana since 1966, passed away peacefully in her home on March 28, 2024. She was born on November 15, 1933, in Miller County, Georgia. William “Bud” Charlie and Minnie Lou Johnson were her parents. Bud and Minnie were farmers and Geneva spent many years picking cotton, shaking and stacking peanuts, as well as tending to the vegetable garden. Geneva attended Miller County High School, graduating in 1950 in the top of her graduating class. She went on to attend GA Southwestern College for Women receiving her 4 years degree in Elementary Education. Geneva taught in Albany, GA where she met her husband John Nicolas Sparling who preceded her death in 2014. Geneva spent 3 years in the Azores, Santa Maria Island where she had two daughters Grace Geneva and Nicole Charlene. After relocating to Indianapolis, IN in 1962, Geneva taught at IPS and began working on her EDS degree at Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Geneva, after moving to Fortville in 1966, taught at Ingalls Elementary School and then moved to an administrative position as the Asst. Principal at South Elementary School. She didn’t stop there. Geneva Kappa, transporter of grandchild and attender of all evens both job related and family. became a caregiver of her granddaughter Aubrey for 8 plus years after her retirement. Geneva was on the School Board for Pendleton Schools for 4 years. She was an active member of Alpha Delta
Geneva then took a job working as a Teaching Assit. At Mt. Vernon Schools for 6 years, Wal-Mart Greeter for 2 years and continuously active with breakfasts with her teacher friends, traveling and gardening. Geneva loved her flowers, birds, and dogs. She was happiest outside working the flower gardens and yard. Nothing was beneath her. She did all her own mowing, raking of leaves, painting, and keeping her home beautiful.
She was an inspiring teacher to many of her students, is recognized for her contributions to our community and to the children and parents whose lives she touched in 48 plus years of teaching, 12 of those as an Asst. Principal, and then as a teaching assistant. She never stopped being the educator, and many of us are the better for it.
Geneva is survived by her two daughters Gigi Catellier and Nicki Williams; 3 grandchildren Alicia, Katy, and Aubrey; 5 great-grandchildren John, Coen, Finn, Truett, and Eleanor; and sister Joann Sanders in Georgia. She is preceded in death by her husband and her great-grandson Oliver Mayberry.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7 pm at Seals Funeral Home, 122 W. Staat St., Fortville, IN 46040. Friends may call at the funeral home before the service from 5 – 7 pm. Geneva will be laid to rest at Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville, Georgia at a later date.
