Mary was born in Nashville, Tennessee to Malcolm and Rebecca Sparkman on July 29, 1935. She was raised in Nashville and attended David Lipscomb Elementary, middle and high schools. She enrolled at David Lipscomb College, now Lipscomb University, in the fall of 1953 and graduated in 1957. She was a very active student on campus, participating on the debate team and acting in several theater productions. This is where she eventually met her future husband, George Edward “JoJo” Brazil. They would later marry on July 9, 1957 and soon start a family.
In addition to her time acting at David Lipscomb, she also acted at The Pull-Tight Players Theatre in Franklin and with the Circle Players in Nashville. She also performed at Towne Centre Theatre, in Brentwood.
Moving to Brentwood in 1971, JoJo and Mary raised their six children and watched their family grow to include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her final years, she resided as a charter member at Harmony at Brentwood.
All her life, she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, traveling, acting, and attending church at West End Church of Christ. She spent the majority of her professional life serving as the Area Manager of the Department of Human Services, retiring after 35 years.
Mary was a vibrant, loyal, loving and thoughtful friend, wife, and mother. She was a devout Christian woman and a selfless servant to Christ and others. She was legendary in her love for all people.
She is preceded in death by her husband, George E. “JoJo” Brazil, parents, Rebecca and Malcolm Sparkman, and brother, James David Sparkman.
She is survived by her children, Nicki (Milt) Wickles, Amy (David) Landers, Frank (Gina) Brazil, Becky (David) Jones, Michael (Tricia) Brazil, Beth (Ryder) Gibbs; 14 grandchildren, Luke Landers, Clint Wickles, Ross Brazil, Hannah Landers, Helen Brazil Milberg, Hailey Wickles Holzheimer, Paul Brazil, Rebekah Jones, Sam Landers, Nikolaus Jones, Katie Brazil, Dane Brazil, Jakob Luberda and Zakary Luberda; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 28, from 5-7 p.m. at Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home at 9010 Church St. E, Brentwood, TN 37027.
The family will also be receiving visitors on Friday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at the West End Campus of Otter Creek Church located at 3534 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37205. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. Walt Leaver will officiate.
Active pallbearers will be all of her grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be all of her granddaughters.
Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to GraceWorks Ministries Inc. and the Lipscomb University Theatre Department..
Lovingly written by granddaughter Rebekah Jane Jones
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