MILDRED MARIE “BABS” SPONER,

78, of North Little Rock, Ark., was called home to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Mildred was born in Sweden, Missouri, to the late Richard and Susan Ann Davis Peterson, stepfather, Elmer Kilburn. She married Thomas E. Sponer in August of 1961 in Great Bend, Kansas. They had four sons, Terry (Kathy) Sponer, Richie (Jan) Sponer, Thomas (Tracey) Sponer, and Shawn Sponer; seven grandchildren, Trevor, Brandis, Victor, Matthew, Tanner, Ashlyn and Cooper. She is survived by her brothers, Roy, Eugene, Donnie, and Ronnie Kilburn; and sister, Selma Peterson Ray; brother-in-law, Bob (Diana) Sponer; sister-in-laws, Grace Bates and Betty Guzzo; and several nieces and nephews.

Family was everything to her. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Mildred devoted her life taking care of others. She was the caretaker of Mr. and Mrs. George Trapp until they passed, and then she went to work at Helping Hands as a nursery room teacher, which she found very rewarding.

She loved working in her flower beds and sewing. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Tom; seven sisters, Alma, Juanita, Viola, Julia and Helen Peterson, June and Elda Kilburn; and one brother, Carl Peterson.

Pallbearers are: Terry Sponer, Richie Sponer, Thomas Sponer, Shawn Sponer, Victor Sponer and Matthew Sponer. Services will be Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Visitation at 11, Rosary at 1, with Mass following. Burial will be at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery. Arrangements made by Roller-Owens Funeral Home. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.