Janet Sue Rowland

Janet Sue Rowland was born on August 18, 1939, in Arkansas City, Kansas, to Clint Hubbard Sparks and Fay (Gay) Sparks. She graduated an Arkansas City Bulldog in 1957. Janet moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she began working as a telephone operator with Southwestern Bell. Her dedication and strong work ethic led to a remarkable 40-year career with the company, culminating with her work in Oklahoma City implementing a revolutionary new system into the phone world called “911”.

While building her life in Oklahoma City, Janet met a group of young women who became her roommates and, more importantly, lifelong friends. In 1964, she married Don Tipton, and she was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Tammy. Janet and Don later divorced.

Through her family, Janet was later introduced to one of her uncle’s railroad co-workers, Kenneth R. “KR” Rowland. Janet and KR were married on January 16, 1976, in Oklahoma City. Together, they enjoyed traveling and shared a special connection to the Nashville music scene, including service on the Country Music Hall of Fame board.

Janet will be remembered most for her deep love of family, her role as the family historian, and her meticulous record keeping. She spent countless hours searching libraries, courthouses, and cemeteries while researching her family tree as well as taking vacations to retrace the past. She carefully collected dates of birth, death, and marriage, and treasured the handwriting, photographs, and stories of loved ones who came before her. When a family event occurred, such as a birth, she was on the phone with pen and paper in hand, collecting information.  Her record keeping extended out to her parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and all their families. She also tried to be present at the end of a loved one’s life to capture the stories that might fade but instead through her efforts be passed on and remembered.

She believed it was imperative to pass family history and good principles on to the next generation. The love Janet had for her family—especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—was immeasurable.

Janet enjoyed traveling, camping at Roaring River, shopping, reading, raising roses in her garden, and sewing. She was also a member of the Pioneer Club through Southwestern Bell.

Janet was the keeper of the stories and collected countless pieces of her family’s history. On June 23, 2026, the final chapter of her own story closed as she entered into rest at the age of 86 at her home in Branson surrounded by her family.  She has been reunited with the ones she so deeply loved to research.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clint and Fay Sparks; her husband, KR Rowland; siblings, Florence Sparks O’Daniel & her husband Charles, Mary Cromley & her husband Eugene, Herb Sparks, Gary Sparks, Clint Sparks, Jr. and Ella Hutchinson; grandchildren, Amber Nicole, Nathan, Maverick, and Olivia Grace; great-grandbabies, Michael Rowland, baby Toot, and a precious baby girl and baby boy; as well as nephews, David Sparks and Mike Sparks and niece Emily Sparks.

Janet was mother to her daughter, Tammy Taylor and son-in-law Carmin of Branson.  Grandmother to Jesse & granddaughter-in-law Staci, Amanda & grandson-in-law Joseph, Ethan & granddaughter-in-law Charlotte, Nicholas & granddaughter-in-law Paige and Matthew & granddaughter-in-law Emily. Great Grandmother to Nolan, Hudson, Cooper, Weston and Miles. Sister to Loye & sister-in-law Roberta. Sister-in-law to Karen Sparks and Janet Sparks. Aunt to Kelvin & wife Michelle O’Daniel and family, Kim & husband Dennis McNich and family, Steve & wife Denise Cromley and family, Sherry (Cromley) Burke and family, Shelby & husband Jim Hart and family, Greg Sparks and family, Andy Sparks and family, Kelly Snyder McGillis and family, Debbie Sparks Tenpenny and family, Kris Sparks Keating and family, Lance Sparks and family, Tony Sparks and family, Jason Sparks and family, Jeff Sparks and family, and Justin Sparks and family. She will also be deeply missed by the loving extended family, friends and bonus family.

Janet would want her family and friends to know that the story doesn’t end here.  Take a moment to remember a story and call someone and share making moments in life that go beyond time.  Also, eat dessert first.

The family will hold a private celebration of life gathering on Friday, June 26, 2026 in Branson.  Graveside services in Arkansas City, Kansas will be announced.

Arrangements are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.

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