Brenda Gayle Flournoy Sparks, 65, of Hamshire, surrounded by her family, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 10, 2016. She was born on August 22, 1950, to Glen and Imogene Flournoy. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her three passions were teaching, family, and music. Her love and dedication to children enriched the lives of hundreds of kindergarten students over her twenty-nine years of teaching. As Gran, she continued to share in the excitement of learning and love of life with her grandchildren, as well as every child she met. Her love of family has provided a lifetime of memories and is a source of inspiration. Beginning at age 13, she faithfully shared her God-given gift of music and blessed many congregations as pianist. She was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Winnie.

Brenda graduated from Hamshire-Fannett, then completed her college education at Lamar University. She married the love of her life, Jerry Sparks, in 1973. She loved her teaching career, which began in Anahuac and continued in Hamshire-Fannett. After twenty-nine years of teaching, she retired in 2011. Brenda also loved antiques and the stories represented by each piece. Her love of nature was also evident, as she filled her home and classroom with God's creations.

Brenda is survived by her husband of forty-three years, Jerry Sparks; son Jeb Sparks and his wife Katie, daughter Jenny Peltier and her husband Jake; grandchildren Claire, Clark, Kamille, and Carlie; Brenda was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her next granddaughter, Karoline. Brenda is also survived by her mother, Clara Imogene Flournoy; sisters Linda Sattler, Karen Bergeron and husband Junior, Jan Little and husband J.J.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her infant son, Robert Jerry Sparks, Jr., and her father, Allen Glen Flournoy.

Friends are invited to visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday July 13, 2016, Broussard's, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 14, 2106, at First United Methodist Church, 1708 State Highway 124, Winnie, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Mrs. Sparks’ name to Hamshire-Fannett Elementary School Library Fund, PO Box 223, Hamshire, Texas 77622.