Mamie Sparks

Mamie was born to William (Bill) F. Browning and Fannie Nunley Browning on November 17, 1925 in Lomax, a community near LaPorte, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Donald L Sparks, her parents, Bill & Fannie Browning, brothers, Harold Browning, Ellsworth Browning, and O’Dell Browning.

Mamie is survived by her daughter, Donna Sparks Reeves and husband, Leonard; her son, Phil Sparks and wife, Pam; grandchildren, Joshua Sparks and wife, Amanda; Jason Reeves and wife, Elizabeth; Rebecca Sparks Budd and husband, Spike; Jonathan Sparks and wife, Triska; Nathan Reeves and wife, Erin; great-grandchildren, Cole, Mackenzie, John, Abigail, Madison, Stephen and Ethan. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Davidson.

She loved her grandchildren, whom she fondly referred to as “Grandma’s Little Stinkers”. Each summer she kept all 5 of them at the same time for at least a week for a fun filled play time with Grandma. On occasions she was seen on stilts or a pogo stick.

Mamie loved to entertain in their home. Whether it was hosting a dinner for family, the Church Missions Convention, Sunday School Class, Goldenaires, or a group of friends, she welcomed guests in their home with open arms and was definitely the ‘Super Hostess’.

She was known for her chocolate chip cookies and other wonderful desserts. Ask any of her “Little Stinkers” about her cookies and be prepared to have your mouth water.

Her unique sense of humor remained - At her last Birthday Celebration in November, as her kids were singing Happy Birthday to her, she looked at them and said - You can skip the “and many more” part.

Mamie and her husband, Don, served side by side as pastors for a number of years. She had the gift of teaching and ministering - serving as a Leader of Women’s Groups in the churches they pastored or attended. During the 50 years of their ministry, their primary focus was the building ministry. They travelled on various volunteer missions projects - both domestic and international -- where Don built churches, did repairs or remodeled Bible Schools or missionaries' homes. Mamie pitched in and helped on each project.

She fondly looked back on her travels and the opportunities they had to minister and the friends and relationships they had built along the way. She cherished each one.

A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home located at 2444 Rollingbrook Drive in Baytown, TX. A service will be held on Wednesday January 10, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. also at Navarre Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mamie’s life. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Park following the service.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www .navarrefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX 77521, (281)422-8111.