Helen Sparks Smith

Helen Sparks Smith, age 74, of Valera, died Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Coleman County Medical Center. Funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2013 in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with her son, Rev. Mark Smith, officiating, and assisted by Rev. Ralph Howell. Burial will follow in the Valera Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.


She was born Helen Sparks on March 12, 1939 in Talpa, Texas, a daughter of Fred Sparks and Anna Simonton Sparks. She grew up in Coleman County and graduated from Coleman High School in 1957. She attended Howard-Payne University. Helen worked for 10 years at Bowen Drug in Coleman, beginning work at age 13.


On June 12, 1976 she married Ken Smith in Valera. She worked in Special Education at Talpa-Centennial and later at Panther Creeek CISD. She was the advisor for the yearbook for over 25 years. Helen was an active member of Valera Baptist Church where she was a nursery attendant for over 30 years. She also assisted with Wednesday Night Ministries and Fifth Quarter.


She served several years on the Coleman Child Welfare Board. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Smith of Valera; children, Melinda Dawson of West Monroe, LA and Mark and wife Teresa Smith of Valera; six grandchildren, A. J. Dawson, Ross Dawson, Trent and Trevor Smith, Kara Dawson and Hailea Smith; two sisters, Mary Lou Fuller of Coleman and Edna Sparks of Austin; brothers-in-law, Darrell Tapley of Valera and Truman Smith of Dallas; several nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special cousin, Bobbie Smith of Coleman.


She was preceded in death by a sister, Fredaline Tapley and a brother-in-law, Roy Fuller.


Memorials may be made to the Cody Warren Fund, c/o Valera Baptist Church, P. O. Box 75, Valera, Texas 76884 or the donor's favorite charity.


Visitation will be this evening (Friday) from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.


Please sign her on-line guestbook at www.livingmemorials.com