Fran Sparks, of Miller Grove, seated, is shown with Jimmy Shaeffer, of B & S Cattle Company, who
meets her for the first time. Shaeffer sold $1860.00 worth of raffle tickets for Fran's benefit, on Saturday,
without even knowing her!
Glenn Cattle Company of Yantis Wins
Top Team at Benefit Ranch Rodeo For Fran
by: Bobby McDonald
Cowboys from all across Northeast Texas gathered on Saturday for a Benefit Ranch Rodeo
for Fran Sparks.
Saturday was a cold and rainy day, but the hearts were warm inside the Miller Grove Arena, where friends gathered for a benefit ranch rodeo, benefitting Fran Sparks, of Miller Grove. Fran, a wife, mother, and employee of Farmers Electric Co-op, was diagnosed with Multiple Schlerosis in 2008, but with treatment and rehabilitation, she was able to regain most of her functions and return to work. But, unfortunately, on September 15, 2009, Fran had another MS episode, that put her in the Texoma Healthcare Center, in Sherman, Texas, away from work, family, and friends.
Fran's daughter, Dianne, is shown here posting the colors at Saturday's event.
Fran's family, husband, Stephen, and children, Sue, Ray, and Dianne, are praying and fully expecting for a miraculous recovery. Her friends and co-workers are prayerful, as well, that she will return to the level she had achieved before, that fateful day in September.
The team penning event was popular at Saturday's ranch rodeo.
In the meantime, the Sparks family is incurring expenses daily, and friends decided to do something to help. Friends and co-workers began a fundraising campaign that culminated with Saturday's Ranch Rodeo, in Miller Grove, Texas. All proceeds from the rodeo and several other fundraising activities will go to the bank account for Fran and her family to use for her care and rehabilitation.
If you were unable to make it to Saturday's event, you can still send your donation to the Fran Sparks Fund at Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs, or contact longtime friend, Susan Lennon, at susane@cumbytel.com.
Trying to find that number....A member of the Glenn Cattle Company team looks for the right
number to began their team competition.
"As all of you know, Fran is the sweetest, kindest person around," tearfully stated Lennon. "She's nice to everyone and just a very, very special person, so we all wanted to do something that would benefit her and her family. That's when the activities got started and we want to continue to keep Fran, her family, and this effort in our thoughts and prayers!"
"It was just great that Fran was able to come-out and see how many people truly do care and want to help," advised another friend from Miller Grove. "It had to help her feelings to be able to attend Saturday's event, and maybe this is just the thing that will start that recovery process going in leaps and bounds!"
The "mugging" event takes the skills of all four cowboys on the team.
Ten ranch rodeo teams from across northeast Texas, were entered in the competition, on Saturday, and "put-on" a great show for the large crowd that came to help Fran and her family.
"Let's slow this sucker down!"
Glenn Cattle Company of Yantis, Texas, won the Team Trophy, with team members being, Dexter Sumptner, Colton Glenn, Ryan Glenn, and Wesley Price. The Top Horse Award went to "Snorty," ridden by Shannon West, and the Top Hand Award, was presented to Mike "Hoobie" Creech, of the B&S Cattle Company, of Terrell, Texas.
Top Team in Saturday's competition was the Glenn Cattle Company of Yantis. Team members
include (ltr): Dexter Sumptner, Colton Glenn, Ryan Glenn, and Wesley Price.
The Top Hand Award went to Mike "Hoobie" Creech, shown here with his daughter, Dolly Jo Creech.
The Top Horse Award went to "Snorty" ridden by Shannon West.
Presenting sponsors for Saturday's event were Farmers Electric Cooperative and Potts Feed Store, with Cowboy Sponsors being: Rafter P Construction Company, and Jack Gipson of Lone Oak. Supporting sponsors included: Alliance Bank, DUKO Oil, J.B Weld, True Hardware - Steve Haupt, and Cavender's Boot City. Top Hand and Top Horse awards were sponsored by City National Bank and Hooten's Hardward. Arena Sign sponsors included: Potts Gas Company, Emory Livestock, First National Bank Emory, Darrell and Stephanie Coleman, AgriLand Sulphur Springs, Land Excavation, IMS, and Echo Publishing. Ranch Hand Sponsors were Hopkins County Vet and Super One of Greenville. Circle E Western Store, Tractor Supply, AG Power, Susan Lennon, Carolyn Burns, Joanna Matlock, and Ronnie McKinney donated merchandise, and other sponsors included George Alexander, Glenda's Cafe, and C&H Coffee Service. Josh Clark served as the announcer and Amber Creech served as the rodeo secretary. The Miller Grove Fire Department and the Miller Grove FFA helped with traffic control and with other rodeo duties.
______
