Beverly Jean Spargo

     An amazing mother, beloved grandma, and faithful friend,

Beverly Jean Spargo, surrounded by all of her family, peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Friday morning, January 6, 2023.  She was 95 years young. 

Beverly was born to Philip and Hazel Brown in Shelton, Washington on January 23, 1927.  She was their only child.  The following year, 1928, the Brown family of three moved to the Proctor District of Tacoma, Washington. 

     Beverly began her early education in Tacoma Public Schools at Washington Elementary, where she met her three life-long friends; Gerrie Apa, Dorothy Thirtyacre, and Charlotte Caldwell.  In the early days, the girls had many fun adventures romping through the wooded areas of Tacoma, reading books at the local Proctor public library, and catching a ten-cent movie at the Blue Mouse while enjoying a favorite lollipop for a penny.  During high school, Beverly was involved in Senior Girl Scouts, she was an activity manager, served as an air raid warden, library assistant, and was involved in Stadiana.  She graduated from Stadium High School in 1944 and headed to Cougar country at Washington State College.  Shortly thereafter, her college endeavors were curtailed following the sudden death of her father.

Despite this monumental loss, she embraced and forged her new reality with courage, faith, and determination.  Eventually, the highlight of Bev’s life was the birth of her first-born son, Peter Spargo, followed sixteen months later by a second bundle of joy, her beautiful daughter Lynne Ballew-- truly the greatest love’s of her life.   

     As a single mom, Bev surrounded her family with people of faith that poured God’s goodness, grace, and unconditional love into each of their lives.  Her mother, Hazel, was both a devoted mother and grandmother, who ran along-side the family to help ensure the “love’s” of Bev’s life-Peter and Lynne-were well cared for and that they received a foundation built on strong Godly principles.  

     Life Center Church was a cornerstone in Bev’s life; Life Center provided a beacon of hope, a haven of strength, and a life-line of constant support.  She began working at Life Center in 1971 as Pastor Fulton Buntain’s Administrative Assistant, joyfully serving 35 years.  She loved her home church, the church family, and was honored to serve on Life Center’s staff.  Adoring every aspect of her job, Bev’s devotion to ministry went beyond the conventional work-day.  

     Throughout the years, she served in countless ministries: Missionettes leader, Life Center choir member, drove church vans, organized single-ladies events, packed meals for LC Cares/Haiti program and served meals at the Orting Food Bank, to just name a few.  Her involvement was vast and wide.  She didn’t miss an opportunity to participate in every aspect of ministry at Life Center.  If the church doors were open, Bev would be there.      

     She was known for her quiet strength, her steadfast devotion, and her endless kindness.  She was a friend to all, always willing to shower others with words of encouragement, and relished the opportunity to intercede through pray for any and all.

Her time on staff at Life Center meant the world to her, and after proudly and faithfully serving, Bev retired from her job at the age of eighty.

     For those who knew Beverly, these are just some of the things that were important to her, that represented who she was, what she liked, and what she treasured:

The color pink: pink clothes, pink walls, pink flowers, pink cookies…pink…pink…pink of every shade. 

She was always up for learning a new game or playing the favorites:  Five Crowns, Shubhangi, Hand and Foot, Pinochle, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Solitaire, and or Qwixx.

Family traditions were sacred to Bev.  She made sure the family was together for fun, good food, and games for all birthday celebrations, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

She was an intentional and prolific note and card writer.  Every time a card was given or sent, she included either a hand-written or typed message of encouragement.

Never did she want to miss an opportunity to be with friends and family—building relationships was so very important to her.

Her favorite phrase, “I just need a plan!”

Beverly was a staunch supporter of her grandchildren’s endeavors.

Shopping was one of her forte’s, she made it an art form.

She was a Hallmark movie enthusiast, an avid reader, and enjoyed listening to the music of Jimmy Swaggart.

Beverly supported many local and global ministries.  

Lipstick was a must whether out and about or just being at home.

She was fearless, adventurous, thoughtful, kind, and a prayer warrior extraordinaire.

     A lady of grace, class, and style, Beverly is survived by her son, Peter (Julie) Spargo, daughter, Lynne Ballew; grandchildren:  Brianna Spargo, Makenzie and Marissa Ballew.

She was preceded in death by her parents Philip and Hazel Brown and grandson Brandon Spargo.  

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