Edna Mae Sparks of Kennewick passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family at the age of 80 on August 31st, 2017. She was born in Pasco, WA on July 12, 1937 to William and Alice (McInturf) Rowell. Edna grew up in Mesa, WA and attended school in Connell, graduating in 1955. As a teen, she often worked the telephone switchboard which was located at their family home. The Mesa post office was also run from their home and she often assisted by meeting the train with out-going mail and retrieving the incoming mail. It was an interesting process as the trains did not stop. Edna married Harlow "Hal" Johnston in August of 1955 and they had five children together. She married Ronald Sparks in Seattle on June 6, 1975 and remained there until returning to the Tri-Cities in 2006. Edna was an avid reader and loved long walks and gardening. She and Ron had a special fondness for roses and grew more than 150 rosebushes in their yard in Seattle. She also enjoyed travelling and has visited all 50 states and several foreign countries. Edna is survived by her husband Ronald Sparks; sisters Shirley Pierce and Marjorie Daugharty; children Kathy (Randy) Hicks, Ronald (Teresa) Johnston, Karen (Jeffrey) McDaniel; grandchildren Iris (Leland) Fouke, Ian (Camille) Hicks, Savannah McDaniel, Houston McDaniel; and great-granddaughter Norma Jean Fouke. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gordon Rowell, and sons Russell Johnston and David Johnston. A memorial service will be held on September 30th, 2017. Contact Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home for details. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.