Sparks, Ellen Caton

Ellen Caton Sparks was born and raised in Arlington, Texas, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H. E. (Honeycutt) Caton. Mr. Caton was a local businessman, operating Caton’s Variety Store and the Fluffy Ruffling Dress Mfg. Co. on Center Street. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1943 and attended Baylor University for one year. After spending her sophomore year at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, she transferred to Mary Hardin-Baylor College, graduating in August 1947. Ellen attended North Texas Agricultural College, the forerunner to the University of Texas at Arlington, completing summer courses during her college years. Registration cards from NTAC date from the early 1940s.

Ellen’s scrapbooks date from 1934 to1962. They provide a detailed account of her young adulthood from high school through her college years, including her marriage to Corporal Virgil W. (Bill) Sparks, U.S. Army. Ellen met her future husband on January 4, 1947; they married in April 1948.

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