About Us

History of DeClue Funeral Home

The history of DeClue Funeral Home of Potosi, Missouri, is deeply rooted in family tradition, community service, and generations of dedication to caring for others in their time of need.

The funeral home’s origins trace back to the early 1920s, when it was established by Mr. Everett Sparks and his wife, Lottie (Jenkins) Sparks. Everett was born on August 22, 1895, in Washington County near Potosi, Missouri, where he also attended school. On December 3, 1916, he married Lottie Jenkins at White Oak Grove Baptist Church in Shirley, Missouri, and together they raised eight children.

Everett attended St. Louis College of Mortuary Science and, upon graduating in 1922, received his embalmer and funeral director licenses. He completed his apprenticeship at Provost & Fieiman Funeral Home in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1923, Everett returned to Potosi with his family and opened the first Sparks Funeral Home. He faithfully served the community until 1936, when he sold the business to his uncle, Luther Sparks.

Luther and his wife, Annie—affectionately known as “Aunt Annie”—continued to operate the funeral home under the Sparks name. After Luther’s passing, Annie carried on the family business with devotion and compassion, continuing the tradition of service that had begun years earlier.

In 1960, ownership of the funeral home passed to Donald Sparks, Everett’s son and Annie’s nephew. Don and his wife, Helen, continued to operate the business as Sparks Funeral Home, proudly upholding the family legacy and serving the Potosi community with dignity and care.

In 1975, Don and Helen sold the funeral home to the three Britton brothers—John, Alfred, and Donald. At the time, the brothers owned Britton Brothers Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri, and later expanded their operations in 1983 with the purchase of a third location in Steelville, Missouri. With the transition, the long-established name Sparks Funeral Home was retired, and the business became known as Britton Brothers Funeral Home of Potosi. The Potosi location was managed by Alfred Britton, his wife Barbara, and their son Ronald.

In April 2009, Ronald Britton sold the funeral home to Brian and Sarah DeClue. Lifelong residents of Potosi, Brian and Sarah have two children, Brian “B.J.” DeClue and Amanda DeClue.



Brian graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Indianapolis, Indiana, in September 1989, earning his embalmer and funeral director licenses. After gaining valuable experience at several funeral establishments, he joined the staff at Britton Funeral Home in Potosi. Today, Brian’s son, B.J. DeClue, has also earned his funeral director’s license and proudly serves alongside his father in the family business.

Now known as DeClue Funeral Home, the establishment continues to honor its rich heritage while remaining committed to compassionate, professional service. Through nearly a century of family leadership—from Sparks to Britton to DeClue—the funeral home has stood as a trusted part of Washington County and surrounding areas, dedicated to helping families honor their loved ones with dignity and respect.