Swansboro- Anne Sparks Guice, 88, formerly of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, passed away on October 15, 2024, surrounded by family at home in Swansboro, North Carolina after a lengthy illness.

Anne was born in 1936 to Anna Louise and Elbert Sparks in Clarksville, Arkansas. The youngest of three children and raised on a farm, Anne learned early the meaning of hard work and service to her family and community. As a teenager, she was active in the Order of Rainbows and the Methodist Church. Anne also participated in varsity high school athletics and held leadership positions in school honor societies. With Anne's dedication to serving others, it was natural for her to choose the path of nursing. After graduating from high school, Anne attended Sparks Memorial Hospital College of Nursing in Fort Smith and graduated in 1957. While in college, Anne met Saul, the love of her life and the man she would marry. After a whirlwind romance, they married in 1957 and began a history together that spanned 61 years, 3 states and 4 children.

Anne and Saul started a family and had two sons in their first two years of marriage. At the same time, Anne began to work full time in healthcare, beginning in Arkansas and continuing for several years in El Paso, Texas. In the early 1960's, Anne and Saul returned to Saul's home in Biloxi, Mississippi and remained on the Gulf Coast for the rest of their life together. There they raised four children while Anne continued her nursing career, working for over 50 years as a Registered Nurse. Anne also owned and ran an office supply and printing business with her husband for many years. Even in Anne's free time, she continued giving.

Anne's life exemplified service. Anne was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Biloxi for most of her life, serving in the Chancel Choir and holding other lay positions. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs later in life. Anne also served as a Phi Kappa mom, Girl Scout leader, cook for church camps, vacation bible school teacher, and PTA member.  Anne had an infectious laugh and believed sharing a smile could make a difference in the world. Anne's proudest accomplishment, after raising her children, was her affiliation with the PEO sisterhood. Anne was a member of PEO, Chapter D and later Chapter AA for over 35 years. During that time, she served on the Mississippi State Board and served as the Mississippi State President from 1994-1995. She remained active in PEO until 2020.

After retiring from nursing in 2009, Anne continued to participate in PEO, enjoyed time with her grandchildren, and travelled with her husband. When Saul became sick in 2014, Anne remained at his side until his passing in 2018. Soon after, Anne began to experience health issues and she left the Mississippi Coast in 2020 to move closer to family in North Carolina.

Anne's greatest love in life was her relationship with her children and grandchildren. She was their biggest supporter and constant cheerleader. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and never far from her heart. Even later in life, Anne could cheer the loudest at soccer games, tennis matches, and school graduations. She loved her family, and she was proud to show it. Anne was a force, who was born and lived life with a servant's heart, and she will be greatly missed.

Anne will forever be remembered by her four children, Saul Guice (Laura), Jeffrey Guice, Lee Guice and Martha Guice Swiber (Matthew), eight grandchildren, Lindsey Guice, Shelby Guice, Frances Swiber, William Swiber, Henry Swiber, Alexis McCarron (Kevin), Lincoln Allen (Mary), and Heath Allen, 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Anne is preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Saul E. H. Guice, her mother and father, Anna Louise and Elbert Sparks, her brothers, and their wives Raymond Benjamin Sparks (Meta) and Roy Sparks (Pat), and her daughter-in-law, Belinda Gryder Guice.

Our family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Libbi Blevins and Andrea Johnson for providing loving care and companionship to mom for the past two years. Their care and love for mom made her life immeasurably better, and our family is forever grateful. In addition, we offer our sincere gratitude to the nurses and aids with Carteret Hospice for the support and care they provided in mom's final months.

A celebration to honor Anne's life will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon in the Glen Cothern room at Mary Mahoney's Old French House in Biloxi. A private cemetery service with immediate family will take place at a separate time.