Constance Joan Sparks Semple

NAPLES — Constance Joan Sparks Semple, 74, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, at her home after being ill since January. She went to be with the Lord with her husband, son and daughter at her bedside.

Joan was born at home in North Tazewell, Virginia, June 5, 1939, to Mary Mitchell Sparks and Leslie Sparks. She graduated from Tazewell High School in 1957. She attended New England School of Theology in Boston, Mass. from 1957–1959.

In 1959 she married the love of her life, Robert  Semple, whom she had met at New England School of Theology. She worked for Union Mutual from 1962 through 1967 and decided then to stay home and be a full-time mom.

Joan and Bob were blessed with, and are survived by their two children, a son Gregory, who resides in Casco, and daughter,  Bethany Garland who resides in Naples with her nine-year-old twins, Sam and Grady. She is also survived by a brother, Sam in Las Cruz, N.M. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Allene and Villa June, and brother Lewey.

In 1985 Joan and Bob moved from Cumberland Center to Tampa, Fla. due to Bob’s work-related transfer. Joan began working at Metlife in the Human Resources Office, and remained there until her retirement in 2000. She and Bob built a retirement home in Homosassa, Fla., and lived there two years. In 2002 they returned to Maine, settling in Naples due to an illness of Joan's. She recovered a short time after returning to Maine.

Joan was always active in the local church in bible studies, Sunday School teacher, organist or pianist, most recently at Cornerstone Gospel Church in Naples. She loved to read books of missionary testimonies and by noted Christian authors. Her other interests were music, gardening, tennis, knitting, and quilting. But she loved more than anything being with family, especially the twins, Sam and Grady.

Funeral services will be at Cornerstone Gospel Church, Route 114 in Naples on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013,  at 2 p.m.,  with Rev. James Marstaller officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Ave. in Portland at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com