Norman was born July 11, 1930, in Port Lavaca, Texas to Edwin Newton Sparks and Virginia Sorell Sparks and passed away February 26, 2022, in Bryan, Texas at the age of 91.
Norman worked in the cotton fields in and around Port Lavaca as he grew up. He went on to work for Taylor Exploration Company out of Houston. While working in the Livingston area, Norman met the love of his life, Wilma Lilley. They married September 22, 1950. He continued to work in the oil fields, and they traveled between Texas and Louisiana. Two daughters were born during these years, Charlene, and Twyla. In the summer of 1964 Norman decided it was time to plant roots in one place and he and Wilma built a house in Big Sandy. Norman went to work for Walter Monroe and Claude Jacobs at the Livingston Auto Parts store in Livingston. When Mr. Monroe and Mr. Jacobs decided to sell their auto parts stores, Norman bought the one in Corrigan, Texas. He worked there until he retired.
Norman was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Wilma; sisters, Margie and Truby; brothers, Kenneth and Melvin and granddaughter Maghan Graff.
Norman is a lifelong member of Sunflower Baptist Church.
Norman is survived by his two daughters, Charlene Maass & her husband Fred of Bryan and Twyla Yeager & Husband Tim of Quitman. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Leigh Ann Hulin-White, Landon Yeager, Jarrod Yeager, and Christi Macias. There are nine great grandchildren, Clayton Macias, Colton Macias, John Macias, Demi Wilkens, Daleigh White, Evelyn Yeager, Isaac Yeager, Luke Yeager, and Jake Yeager. Numerous nieces and nephews; sister, Linda Plummer.
A visitation will be held Friday, March 4, 2022, from 6-8pm at Pace Funeral Home. A Celebration of Norman's Life will begin Saturday, March 5, at 10am Pace funeral Home with Brother Mitchell Murphy and Brother Jarrod Yeager officiating. Interment to follow at Big Sandy Cemetery.
Condolences(4)
Don & Barbara Cotten
Houston, TX Sunday, March 6, 2022 We are so sorry to hear about Sparky. Our condolences to the family. May your memories comfort you.Edwin Hendrix
Dallardsville, TX Friday, March 4, 2022 Norman Sparks was one of my best friends.Wilma is my cousin.Worked with Norman after high school.He is truly a wonderful friend and i will miss himLola Trautwein
Victoria, TX Thursday, March 3, 2022 So very sorry for your loss ❤️❤️❤️Kelly Smith Shadix
Corrigan, TX Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Norman, "Ol Sparky", as my dad - Ronnie Smith - would call him, was such a super person for me to grow up with next to Corrigan Automotive. In the 70's and 80's my dad had the furniture store next to the parts store. I can actually smell that store NOW!I have such fond memories of visiting with Norman (and Loyce) during my early years. He was always so kind. A funny...when I got my driver's license and (what I thought was) an ugly car, he repeatedly tried to trade me a 60's something model Thunderbird that "squirrels had gotten into". As a teen I didn't realize...I should have r traded him-ha!
Ironically, just today someone was in my office talking about the businesses and all the nice people, calling Norman and Loyce by name, that were once on Ben Franklin Street.
I visited him and Wilma about 10 years ago in the "new " home..after they'd had to move because of the Big Thicket project. We had such a nice time catching up.
Additionally, I just remembered, not too long after that,he showed up at my office with an old cash register from Saxon Grocery - another old business across the way that closed in the early 80's. I was going to be out for several weeks. He didn't want to leave it.
"I'll bring it back to her."
For many reasons, I am sorry to say I did have another opportunity to visit with Norman. He was always so pleasant and unassumingly comical. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to be influenced -almost daily-- by such a fellow during my young, formative, years.
Prayers of peace and comfort for your family.
-Kelly Smith Shadix, Corrigan, Texas