Mary Ann Sparks

Mary Ann Johnson Sparks, 77, of Beeville, Texas known to family as “Memaw” and “Pokey” entered the Church Triumphant on Monday November 30, 2015 after a brief illness. Pokey was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on June 29, 1938. She lived and attended school in Beeville with her family. She lived in Houston for 40 years then moved to Victoria, Texas and later moved to Baytown. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Victoria then joined her Memorial Baptist family in Baytown.

She found much joy in watching her many grandchildren and great grandchildren in all manner of sports. She loved to travel, to see family and she loved this beautiful country that we live in. Mary was a consummate cook, whether for a small intimate meal or a group of 40-50 people. We all enjoyed her famous fried shrimp, beans and sausage or her 7-up cake, which was always a favorite of many.

Mary Ann’s thumbs were both green! She loved her plants, inside and outside, hummingbirds and everything outdoors. If you mentioned a sporting event she was there or would be the first to find it on television. She was a lifelong fan and season ticket holder to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She cherished her dogs, Missy, Jessica and Tula Marie! She was an avid reader and spent a great deal of time every morning with her devotional material as well as her well used bible.

Even with all these things that she enjoyed to see and be a part of, Family was the most important. Sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, kids and their spouses, grandkids, great-grandkids and family friends, they were all extremely important and held a very special place in her sweet little heart. Mary might have been small in stature but her heart was not.

She never met a stranger, loved openly and genuinely. She never parted company from friends or family without saying “I love you”. Her smile was so open, warm and inviting.

Our lives and this world will be a little less tolerable, a little less funny and a little less happy because she has gone. We know where we will see her again and anticipate that warm smile and open arms, awaiting a hug.

Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bennett Sparks; father Anderson White; mother Kathryn Hillengas Maxwell; brother Jimmy White; son Jerry Don Johnson. She is survived by her brother A.E. White; sisters Gwen Thomson and husband John of Prescott Valley, AZ; Bobbie Carroll of Coleman, TX; Carol Whitener of Bonham, TX; sisters in laws Sarah White of Odessa, TX; Betty Perkins of Beeville, TX; daughters Linda Darby and husband Steve of Cove, TX; Sidney Dawson and husband Tony of Nacogdoches, sons Bennett Sparks and wife Rose of Conroe, TX; Steven Sparks and wife Debi of Conroe, TX; Larry Sparks and wife Jennifer of Frisco, TX; grandchildren, Bryce, Christine, Mike, Matt, Brian, Chris, Jeff, Adam, Lane, Lauren and Lindsay; 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a host of loving friends and neighbors.

Pall bearers will be Steve Sparks, Bennett Sparks, Larry Sparks, Tony Dawson, Ronnie White, Bryce Darby, Carson Darby and Will Gery.

For Those Desiring, Memorials May be made To : www.stchm.org/donate