Debra Kay Sparkman

1960-2026

"She gave without expecting, loved without condition, and left this world far richer than she found it."

Debra Kay Sparkman, age 65, of Kenova, Wv, passed peacefully away with her family by her side, on June 27, 2026.

Debra was born as the leaves were beginning to fall on October 10, 1960. She was the blessing of the late Donald and Ruth Cantrell Gue. Debra was a 1979 graduate of Ceredo Kenova High School. When she was in her younger years, Debra worked as a cashier at Harts Department Store, it was there where she sold the most expensive shoes she would ever sell. Those shoes would end up costing a striking young gentleman a life time of money. That gentleman was Harold “Hoss” Sparkman. Harold and Debra had a whirl wind romance and two weeks from the sale of the shoes, the two moved into together. Harold and Debra were blessed with 42 years together, a shared career at Sparkman Trucking, where she worked as his secretary, and one cherished daughter. God works in mysterious way and apparently in retail.

Debra enjoyed her simple life. She loved to go shopping but never for herself. She had a giving soul and if she thought you liked something, then she saw it fit to get it for you in every color. Debra really found her peace at home spending quite evenings along side her daughter watching their favorite movies together, crying at the sad parts and laughing at the funny parts. Debra also enjoyed the occasional evening out for dinner and movie at the theater or a night of bowling with Harold. The bond she had with her family ran deep. Harold was her rock, coworker, husband, and dear friend and her daughter was her pride and joy.

Debra leaves behind a lot of memories and love for her family to cherish and although she has left us for Heavenly home her legacy will live in hearts of all who were blessed to enough to know her.

Left behind to cherish her memory is her husband Harold “Hoss” Sparkman, her beloved daughter, Marissa Sparkman of Kenova, Wv, one brother, Phillip Gue of Kenova, and two sisters, Sue Fannin of Rush, KY, and Shirley Conley of Huntington, Wv. Also surviving is one brother-in-law Buddy Whitt, and many other extended family members and friends.

In addition to her late parents, Debra is enjoying a Heavenly reunion with her siblings Donald Gue, Benny Gue, Larry Gue, David Gue, Doris Shepard, Karen Smith, Carolyn Whitt, and Judith Hamilton.

A funeral service to honor the life of Debra will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, beginning at 10:30 am at Neal Funeral Home located at 2409 Center Street, Catlettsburg, KY with Pastor Eddie Hay officiating. Visitation for friends and family will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, July 1, 2026, from 6pm to 8pm. Debra will be laid to rest at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery NE in Grayson, Ky following the service on Thursday.

Online condolences may be sent to the family from our website at kilgorecollierfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Neal-Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home.

Neal-Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Debra Kay Sparkman.