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Our Story
The following information relates the past history of the current DeClue Funeral Home of Potosi in Washington County Missouri. The funeral home operation in Potosi, Missouri was established by Mr. Everett Sparks and his wife Lottie (Jenkins) Sparks.
Everett Sparks was born on August 22, 1895 in Washington County, near Potosi, Missouri. He attended school in Washington County. On December 3, 1916, he married Lottie Jenkins at the White Oak Grove Baptist Church in Shirley, Missouri. To this union, eight children were born.
Everett attended St. Louis College of Mortuary Science and upon his graduation, received his license in 1922. He did his apprenticeship under Provost and Fieiman Funeral Home in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1923, Everett moved to Potosi with his family and began his career in the funeral business. He established the first Sparks Funeral Home at that time. He lived and worked in Potosi until 1936, at which time he sold his business to his uncle Luther Sparks.
Luther Sparks and his wife Annie continued to operate the funeral business as Sparks Funeral Home. Upon Luther’s passing, his wife Annie (also known by many as Aunt Annie) continued operating the funeral home.
In 1960 the funeral home was sold to Donald Sparks, Everett’s son and nephew of Aunt Annie Sparks. Don and his wife Helen carried on the funeral business as Sparks Funeral Home.
In 1975 Don and Helen sold the funeral home to the three Britton brothers John, Alfred and Donald. At that time they currently owned the Britton Brothers Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri and later in 1983 they purchased a third funeral home in Steelville, Missouri. At the time of purchase by the Britton brothers the established name as Sparks Funeral Home ceased to exist. The business then became known as the Britton Brothers Funeral Home of Potosi. The Potosi home was managed by Alfred, his wife Barbara, and their son Ronald.
In April of 2009 Ronald Britton sold the funeral home to Brian and Sarah DeClue. Brian and Sarah are lifetime residents of Potosi and they have two children Brian (B.J.) DeClue and Amanda DeClue. In September of 1989 Brian graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Service of Indianapolis, Indiana attaining his Embalmer and Funeral Director License. During the years following his graduation Brian worked for several funeral establishments before coming on staff at the Britton Funeral Home in Potosi. Brian (B.J.) attained his Funeral Directors License and he is currently serving with his father in the business operation.
