Annie Mae Sparks

Born April 10, 1919 Cooper, Texas

Died February 19, 2014 Phoenix, Arizona

Annie Mae Watson was born April 10, 1919 at home in Cooper, Texas. Her mother was Estie Lee Gillaspie-Watson, born September 25, 1894, died May 2, 1969. Her father was James Monroe Watson, born March 3, 1893, died October 17, 1970. Both were from Danville, Arkansas. Although she was born in 1919, she did not acquire a Birth Certificate until 1958. Said she didn’t need it till then.

Annie had the following siblings:

Brother Urna, born 1915 died 1985

Sister Aldena, born 1917 still with us

Sister Evelyn, born 1921 died 2006

Brother James, born 1924 died 1967

Annie grew up in Cooper, Texas and finished High School there. Her father was a share cropper in that area of Texas, but had to move his family to follow what work he could find. Wewoka, Oklahoma became their home and her father gained work at the local Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store. The year was about 1937.

Married Clyde Thompson in 1939 at the age of 19 and had two boys: Jimmie, born 1939, and Billy, born 1941. Divorced Clyde Thompson in 1943 for non support.

Married Robert Burley Sparks in 1945 on their way to Yuma, Arizona. Married in Tucumcari, New Mexico as Dad always told the story, “She was still with me when we got to that point so I figured I better marry her before showing up at my folks’ house with a woman that wasn’t my wife.”

Robert Burley adopted the boys Jimmie and Billy and they, along with Bruce, born in December 1946, all grew up in Yuma, Arizona. Robert Burley Sparks retired from the Yuma Fire Department in 1974. Mom retired from Nursing in 1982 and together they were the traveling Sparks. Dad was an avid Golfer and Fisherman. Among their many travels was to become the Camp Hosts during the summer months at the Clint’s Well Campground. This they did for several years living in the high country from May to September each year and then back home to Yuma for the winter.

Robert Burley Sparks was born in 1918 and died in 2001.

Jimmie Marion Sparks was born in 1939 and died in 2002.

Billy Clyde Sparks was born in 1941 and died in 2011.

Annie has 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren.

Since 2007 Annie lived in the East Valley at various homes due to her physical limitations and needs.

During Annie’s final days we would visit her almost every day and read to her from the Bible, hold hands, and recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Annie was ready to go from this earth and knew that she would see her Jesus face to face and rejoice in the life to come.

From Annie’s journal dated May 15, 2009:

Can’t wait to get to Heaven

Oh I’ll be so happy there

When I walk down that ivory hall

And run up those crystal stairs

Oh I’ll know Him when I see Him

I’ll know Him anywhere

Then all my struggles will be lifted

When I reach that Kingdom in the air

Can’t wait to shout hallelujah!

No more earthly burdens will I bear

‘Cause when I see the Heavenly throne

I know -- yes I know

He’ll be waiting for me there!

These facts and dates came from Annie Mae herself as best she can recall and the aid of the Watson Family Bible. Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary, Chandler, Arizona.