Donald L. Sparks

Don was born to Oscar W Sparks and Katie Norsworthy Sparks on March 6, 1928 at Peason, Louisiana. He was raised in Bellwood, Louisiana.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Katie Sparks, his brothers Elton Sparks, Clinton Sparks, Earl Sparks and Carl Sparks, and by his sister, Esther Jackson Blevins.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mamie Browning Sparks, his daughter, Donna Sparks Reeves and husband, Leonard; his son, Phil Sparks and wife, Pam; grandchildren, Joshua Sparks and wife, Amanda; Jason Reeves and wife, Elizabeth; Rebecca Sparks Walls; Jonathan Sparks and wife, Triska; Nathan Reeves and wife, Erin; great-grandchildren, Cole, Mackenzie, John, Abigail, Madison, Stephen and Ethan.

He is survived by brothers, Gerald Sparks and wife, Margie; J T Sparks, and wife Linda; Ralph Sparks and wife, Marlene; Freddie Sparks and wife, Melba; and by his sister, Bonnie Sparks Rutherford and husband, Bob, and sisters-in-law, Ludie Sparks and Joyce Browning Davidson; and a special niece, Peggy Browning, who lived with them for a number of years. Don is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great nephews.

Don began preaching at the age of 17. He and his wife, Mamie, served as Pastors or Associate Pastors with the Assemblies of God in Louisiana and Texas. During his years of ministry, he led the building programs for several churches that he pastored – actually serving as the 'general contractor'. In the latter years of his ministry, his focus was primarily devoted to building projects for churches, camp grounds, bible schools and even homes for missionaries. He and Mamie participated in the Assemblies of God MAPS program that coordinates volunteers to assist with these types of construction projects. This led them to projects in Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oregon, Africa, Japan, Bolivia, Guyana and Egypt.

Don was an avid fisherman. If he loved anything more than fishing, it was cooking a large Seafood Dinner for guests in their home. He even served as the head cook for children's and youth camps for a number of years.

Recently he told Mamie, ""We've had a GOOD life and I can't think of anything I'd want to change.""

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 26, 2016 at Navarre Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the funeral home with Rev. Steve Marze and Rev. Bob Rutherford officiating. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Grandview Memorial Park, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505.

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

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.