Johnnie Williams Sparks

She was the daughter of Mr. Clarence O. Williams, Sr. and Mrs. Matilda Morris Williams, maternal granddaughter of Mr. John Edgar Morris and Mrs. Fannie Morris Bell, and paternal granddaughter of Mr. David Williams and Mrs. Mattie Williams Smith. They preceded her in death as did her two brothers, Clarence O. Williams, Jr. and Morris Douglas Williams and one grandchild, Ashley Rene Williams, who was a twin.

Mrs. Sparks was a product of four Austin Schools; Brackenridge Elementary, old Kealing Jr. High School, old Anderson High School and old Samuel Huston College which is now Huston Tillotson College. She held the title of Miss Samuel Huston College in 1941.

After graduation from Samuel Huston College in 1942 she included four Austin schools in her professional career. In 1942 Kealing Jr. High, 1963 Blackshear Elementary, 1966 Blanton Elementary (First Black Teacher), and 1973 Harris Elementary from which she retired in 1985.

She is a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church and a Charter member and past President of Deborah Circle – Mission 2, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Retired Teachers Association. (ARTA and TRTA) and the American Association of Retired People.

She is a former member of the Austin Chapter of The Links Inc., has served as a Docent at the L.B.J. Library and a Volunteer at the Holy Cross Hospital.

She deeply loved her family and enjoyed traveling. She led a life filled with love, joy, and faith in God.

She is survived by her son, Thomas E. Sparks of Santa Barbara, CA; daughter, Jacqueline Sparks Martin of Houston and daughter Bobbie Sparks Williams and son-in-law, J.R. Williams, II, M.D. of Dallas. Grandchildren: Emile Breaux Martin of San Antonio, Brandon Douglas Sparks and his wife, Amy Warnick Sparks of Austin, Alycia Corinne Sparks Temple and her husband, Joe Temple of Grand Prairie, Jordan Rene’ Williams of Dallas and Benjamin Douglas Sparks of Austin. Great-Granddaughter: Maya Malone Sparks.

She is also survived by her sisters, Elijah Mae Dotson and Forrest Faye Kelley and her sister-in-law, Audrey Elaine Williams. She loved and cherished her nieces, nephews and great niece: Terri L. McClain, Michael D. Williams, Felicia McClain Overton, Victor E. Williams, Janice L. Williams, Cynthia L. Van Kuren, Clarence O. Williams, III, John S. Williams, Joel Kelley, III, David C. Kelley and Daniel E. Kelley and Lauren Jones-McClain.

For the final 9 years of her life, Johnnie received loving care at Kinfolks Personal Care Home. She loved the special attention she received from Sana and Will Henderson and she loved them dearly. She often mentioned that they treat her like their name, Kinfolks. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Sana and Will Henderson and Hospice Austin.

She will be missed but held in the hearts of all who knew her as she joins her savior Jesus Christ.

Private family services were held December 11, 2020 and Mrs. Sparks was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Ebenezer Baptist Church Building Fund, 1010 E. 10th Street, Austin, TX 78702