St George - Edith Melton Sparks, born January 13, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, was the second child of parents James Edward Melton and Eleanor Williams Melton.

At a young age she helped with the small store her parents set up in the front of their home in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. At 16 she joined the workforce as a long-distance operator for Michigan Bell. In 1945 she married Walter C. Davis, Jr. and they had two daughters: Gwen and Lorraine. In 1950 she accompanied her parents in their move to Colorado. She and Mr. Davis divorced, and she eventually married Al Noblitt.

In Colorado Edith resumed her career with the Mountain Bell Telephone Company. There she advanced by serving in several positions including customer relations, accounting, and payroll operations.

She embraced life and even while working full-time and raising a family she found time to pursue her other interests, such as learning to fly small aircraft. She spent several summers involved in a car club, competitively driving her own race car, and winning numerous trophies. Edith had a natural flair for interior design and fashion and displayed her creativity in trying out different types of crafts. She loved a wide variety of music and live performances. She enjoyed vacationing throughout the southwest and was especially interested in Native American cultures and people.

Edith was widowed in 1965 and in 1967 she met her third husband, Everett "Bud" Sparks. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 1968. The couple then moved from Denver to Salt Lake City and Edith transferred to the phone company there, where she worked as a dispatcher among other positions, until her retirement. She worked in telecommunications in various capacities for a total of twenty-six years and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Upon retirement she and Bud purchased a Victorian home in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where they enjoyed renovating it and furnishing it with antiques. Edith was able to get it registered on the Sanpete County registry of Historic Buildings. They joined local historical and archeological organizations, participated in educational day trips and other activities, and settled into the community.

When Bud began having health issues, they moved to St. George in 2006 for the milder climate, which also allowed them to be closer to some of their grandchildren. In 2010 Bud passed away. Edith was very proud of her Welsh Irish heritage and did considerable genealogical research to pass on to her family. She will be well remembered for her indomitable spirit and positive attitude toward life.

Edith is survived by her sister, Frances Moore, of Littleton, Colorado; daughters: Gwen Moon and Lori Windle; grandchildren: Angela Frischknecht, Scott Lewis, Matthew Renner, and Caitlin Windle. She is also survived by nieces: Margo Kempinski and Rhonda Meredith; nephews: James Chase, Curt Chase, and William Moore; three great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents; first two husbands; her sister, Irene Chase; her loving husband of forty-two years, Bud Sparks; and her dear granddaughter, Jesse Lewis.

Graveside services will be held Monday, February 6, 2023, at 12 pm in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St George UT 84770. A visitation will be held Monday, prior to the services at 11 am at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd, St George UT 84770.