Naomi Ruth Sawyer Meharg Sparks Kyser

Naomi Ruth Sawyer Meharg Sparks Kyser

A sweet and gentle soul has returned home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Naomi Ruth passed away quietly and peacefully on December 3, 2011 at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas, after a long illness. Born in Austin, Texas on July 11, 1939 to Guy Stanley Sawyer II and Ruth McMullen Sawyer, Naomi graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Texas, where she studied Literature. Naomi met and married Ben Meharg while a member of University Avenue Church of Christ. Ben gave Naomi two of the greatest gifts in her life, her daughters Carole Meharg Fox-Griffiths and Laura Meharg Simon. As the wife of a Marine Corps Officer, Naomi lived throughout the United States, finally landing in Austin after her first marriage ended. She met and fell deeply in love with James A. (Jim) Sparks (lovingly known to all as “Dader”). For Naomi, there was no other like Jim. He loved and provided for her two girls just as if they were his own. Naomi loved and nurtured his children, Cliff, Lucy, Mary, and Sarah and felt as if she were their second mother. Some of Naomi’s fondest memories were of the years she spent with Jim at Sparks Farm. It is here where she enjoyed some of her most active and healthy years. Even after parting ways, Naomi and Jim remained close friends and deeply cared for each other. In her later years, Naomi found the gentle, loving companionship of Albert (Bub) Kyser. Naomi enjoyed a special friendship with his daughter Jeannie. After Bub passed away, Naomi lived independently with the love and assistance of daughter Carole until her illness necessitated her move to Waco so that she could be loved and cared for by daughter Laura.

Naomi lived a full and rich life and had a varied career. She worked as an administrative assistant at Texas Department of Transportation and later at the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Naomi enjoyed a long career at Women in Communications, eventually serving as Executive Director before returning to state employment at TEA. For many years she volunteered as a narrator for Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, and at the time of her death, donated her corneas for transplant. She was a devoted friend of Bill W, celebrating many years of sobriety. One of the greatest joys in her life was her grandchildren and she loved them all dearly with her sweet and gentle ways.

Naomi was preceded in death by her parents Guy Stanley II and Ruth Sawyer, sister Arra Wiseman, nephew Steve Wiseman, and husband Albert Kyser.

She is survived by daughter Carole Fox-Griffiths and her husband Arvon and grandsons Jake and Justin Fox; daughter Laura Simon and her husband Robert Simon and grandchildren Sommer and Hunter; brother Guy Stanley Sawyer III and his wife Loretta and their daughters Shelia, Rachel, Joy, and Holly; nephew Cooper Wiseman and his wife Tisha and their daughter Liberty; and Uncle Hugh McMullen, Donna McMullen, Doris McMullen and children Kay, Richard and Phillip.

Many thanks to all of our wonderful friends and family for their loving support through these last years of our mother’s illness. Special thanks to her wonderful neighbors the Millers, loving friends Sue and David Kyser, care giver and friend Cindy and the doctors and nurses at Providence Hospital, St. Catherine’s and Providence Hospice.

Notes and condolences to the family can be posted at www.gracegardensfh.com. Memorial Services will be held at Harrell Funeral Home in Austin, Texas on Friday, December 16th at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Learning Ally (formerly known as Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic).