Peggy Jean (Sparks) Parsons

Peggy Sparks Parsons, 88, of Pattonville passed away July 16, 2025, at Heritage House in Paris with family members at her side.

Peggy was born on March 15, 1937, in Shady Grove (Lamar County), Texas. The daughter of Elmer and Floy Barnard Sparks. She was a 1955 graduate of East Lamar High School and obtained her bachelor's and master’s degrees in Education from East Texas State University where she also was a cheerleader.

Peggy began her 33-year teaching career at Bogota High School in 1958. She taught at East Lamar HS, Travis Junior HS, and for 21 years at Prairiland HS. She also coached basketball, tennis, and was a long-time cheerleader sponsor. During her time at Prairiland and for numerous years after her retirement she taught driver’s ed to many students in the entire Lamar County area.

Not only was Peggy a long-time educator, but she served the Lamar County community for many years as a civic volunteer. Peggy was a lifetime member of the Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers & School Employees Association and the Texas Retired Teachers Association and served in various officer roles for both organizations throughout her tenure. She served as a volunteer for the Paris Regional Health Auxiliary for almost 30 years, volunteering over 12,500 hours and serving two terms as its president. Peggy volunteered and served on the Highland Cemetery Association of Deport and was also a long-time contributor to the Deport/Blossom Times newspaper.

She was an active member of the College Church of Christ for over 60 years, teaching children’s Sunday school class, chairing the food committee, and assisting the toy makers group.

She married Keith Parsons in Pattonville on January 24, 1958, and they were married for over 50 years until his passing in January 2009.

To her family, Peggy was known for organizing and hosting holiday events and Sunday dinners. She never turned down a chance to travel, especially accompanying her friends and family. She was actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peggy exemplified a life well lived – her love and faith in God, dedication to family, a diligent worker, a servant to many and an example to all.

Peggy is survived by her children: Greg Parsons of Paris; Mark Parsons and wife, Tonya, of Rowlett; and Kristi Boren and husband, Randy, of Pattonville. Grandchildren: Drew and Alexis Boren; Leah and Matt Harding; Haley and Drew Mayhall; Ty Parsons; Alicen Parsons; Davis Parsons and Karyn Parsons. Great grandchildren: Aiden Lane; Ella Lane; Sawyer Boren; Reed Boren; Carson Harding; McKinley Mayhall; and Ava Mayhall. She is also survived by seven nephews and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and sisters: Frieda Sparks Winters and Judy Sparks Ellington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Peggy’s memory to one of her favorite organizations including the Prairiland Academic Trust Foundation, the Deport Highland Cemetery Association, or the Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers & School Employees Association.

Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 27th at College Church of Christ with Nolan Butler and Ty Parsons officiating. Burial will be made in Highland Cemetery at Deport. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, July 26th from 5 – 7 p.m.