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Mary Lee Sparks WatersMary Lee Sparks Waters passed from this life into the next January 1, 2026 in St. George, Utah.
She was born January 23, 1938 in Thermopolis, Wyoming to Bill and Mary (Asay) Sparks, in an apartment over the JC Penny store. She was the 2nd of 4 children.
Mary Lee attended school in Lovell, Wyoming. As a 17 year old young lady, she was waiting tables at Dude’s Cafe in Lovell when she met her future husband, Jerry Waters. Mary Lee and Jerry were married in Lovell October 17, 1955. There were 4 children born to this marriage: Marica, Shawn, Krystal and Denette.
Mary Lee and Jerry lived in Lovell for the first couple of years after marriage and moved frequently until they eventually moved to Big Piney, Wyoming. Mary Lee was involved in a number of family businesses there. They opened a sporting goods store, owned the motel and also owned the laundromat in Marbleton. In addition Mary Lee kept the books and helped with the family trucking business, Waters and Son Water Service. On top of the many business ventures she was the Justice of the Peace in Marbleton, Wyoming for a few years before the family moved to Mesquite, Nevada. In Mesquite she was a dispatcher, and later the lead dispatcher, for the Mesquite Police Department, serving with the police department for 17 years. During the time in Mesquite she was also the caregiver for her mother.
Mary Lee loved the outdoors and especially loved the mountains and desert country of Wyoming, spending many days camping and many hours searching for rocks and arrowheads. She loved getting in her car or pickup and driving to the mountains or desert just for a ride. After moving to Nevada, she learned to enjoy the rides in the desert country there, but her heart was always in the Wyoming mountains and deserts.
She is survived by brothers: Keith (Yasue) Sparks and Dennis (Jackie) Sparks; her children: Marica Patterson, Shawn Waters, Krystal Waters and Denette Babcock; 6 grandchildren: Aaron (Mandi) Swartz, Wesley Waters & partner Janell, Courtney Waters & partner Alex, Triston Waters & partner Stephanie, Brandon Babcock & partner Brianna and Christopher Babcock & partner Alexis; a number of great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Mary Lee was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father and one brother Ted.
No funeral service will be held, but a memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place January 13, 2026 in Cowley, Wyoming at the Sparks Family plot, with a dedication of the grave.
Mary was a wonderful person. She taught me to love the Great outdoors in the desert. On a whim we would just jump in the car and travel out to Gold Butte or anywhere in Nevada, Arizona, or Utah
One year we went on a trip up to Wyoming into South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore and the Deadwood area. We then traveled to Lovell to see one of her hometown’s and then through Yellowstone and back. One of the best vacations I ever had. Rest in peace Mary. You were a hoot to be around.
Sad to hear of Mary’s passing. I worked with her in 1994 at the Mesquite Police Department. Being a retired veteran Connecticut police officer working in a small Nevada department she use to question me about my past career. She was interesting with her Western Life. She was a kind person that had a great memory. May She Rest in Peace.