She was born in Edith, Texas, to Luther Loyd Sparks and Estella Violet Sparks. Shirley was the fourth of eleven children—she had five brothers and six sisters. There was always laughter in the Sparks family; they loved one another dearly and never spoke a harsh word against each other.
One of Shirley’s fond memories was of inviting the love of her life, Don Thomas, to breakfast. She remembered how he put salt and pepper in his gravy, not realizing that in her family, they added sugar so the little ones would enjoy it. She also loved to tease him about the time he didn’t realize he was eating turtle soup.
In 1958, she married the love of her life, Donald Cornell Thomas. Together they had four daughters: Carol, Linda, Debora, and Connie.
Shirley worked for Ethicon for 26½ years as a channel finisher. She loved singing with her sisters and listening to her dad and brothers play their instruments. Later, she and Don moved close to his mother to help care for her.
Shirley was a member of the Daughters of the Nile of the Eastern Star, and she also supported the Rainbow Girls. In 1999, Shirley and Don moved to Cape Fair, Missouri, where she joined the Eagles Club. The two often traveled between Missouri and San Angelo, Texas.
Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald C. Thomas; her father, Luther Lloyd Sparks; mother, Estella Violet Sparks; brothers William L. Sparks, Gary Don Sparks, and George Ray Sparks; sisters Peggy Sue Evans and Elwanda Jones.
She is survived by her daughters Carol June Dennis (J.W.), Linda Sue Thomas, Debora Ann Fernandez, and Connie Turner; grandchildren Daniel Cornell Powell (Whitney), Shirley Robertson (Jason), April Locke (David), Mark Luther Thomas, Stephanie Borrego, Andrew Borrego (Debora), Ginger Salas (Jessie), Matthew Fernandez (Rebecca), Anna Fernandez, Aaron Turner, and Crystal Dougan (Shane); 29 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and 1½ great-great-great-grandchildren. Shirley is also survived by siblings Pauline Coxey and husband Mitch, Louise Drennan and husband David, Ann Jones and husband Gary, Marion L. Sparks and wife Mary, Terry Sparks and wife Jana; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Because of Debbie, there are two five-generation families.
The family extends special thanks to the nurses at Shannon Hospital who cared for our mother: Dr. Bozyan, Dr. Nwokoye, Dr. Kirkland, Maria, Kendyl, Mathew, Chevelle, Sangita, Elyse, Aaliyah, Amanda, Kaylee, Gloria, Sabrina, Patricia, and Ed.
We also wish to thank Hospice of San Angelo (HOSA), Hospice Nurse Vicki, IPU Manager Luzy T., Nurse Elsa L., Amber T., Elli S., Angela G., Almdra G., Dr. Brewer, Dr. Hitchcock, Sam C., and our special social worker Christina D.
A special thank-you goes to Marsha for making our mom beautiful, Dr. Gibbs for his care and compassion, and Dr. Sun for his continued support.
