Mary Lou Sparks Fuller

Mary Lou Sparks Fuller was born in Coleman County south of Talpa, Texas, on August 1, 1923 to Fred and Anna Lou Simonton Sparks. She passed from this life to her heavenly home on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in Coleman, Texas.

Mary Lou attended school at Leaday, Mozelle, and Talpa, and graduated from Rockwood High School in May, 1941. She attended Howard Payne College. She married Roy Fuller on May 10, 1944 in San Angelo at her parents' home. Roy served in the Pioneer Infantry taking training in Oklahoma and Camp Robinson near Little Rock, Arkansas. While there, Mary Lou worked at the Jacksonville Ordinance plant making detonators for U. S. Military.

Mary Lou loved music. She served as pianist then organist in her church. She taught piano for many years. In 1959, Roy went to work for the U. S. Postal Service in San Angelo, working until his death in 1984. Both loved their church, friends, and co-workers at College Hills Baptist.

Mary Lou was also a genealogist, researching many of her ancestors. She belonged to Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of 1812, Ancient Planters, and Tom Green County Historical Society as well as other organizations.

Mary Lou loved gardening and flowers, especially wildflowers. Her yard of bountiful beautiful bluebonnets was enjoyed for years by people passing by her house.

Mary Lou taught sewing classes at the Singer Sewing Center for several years. She was an excellent seamstress - making all of her clothes and her daughters' clothes when they were growing up. The girls were always by far the best dressed at church and school!

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband Roy, their first grandchild Ramey, her parents, her sisters Fredalene Tapley and Helen Smith, and her son-in-law Bruce Sonnenberg. She is survived by two daughters - Fran Sonnenberg of Bronte, and Margie Dodson and husband Henry of Coleman; three grandsons - Lee Sonnenberg and wife Paula of Lubbock, Cole Dodson and wife Cyndy of Bryan and Lynn Sonnenberg of San Angelo; one granddaughter Lezlie Dodson of Saginaw; five great-grandchildren - Silas, Sadie and Scout Sonnenberg, Conner and Kyle Cunningham; an adopted grandson - Jerry Willeford; one sister - Edna Sparks of Austin; one brother-in-law - Ken Smith of Valera. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and loved ones.

Services will be at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel in Coleman at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, with burial in Crews Cemetery, Runnels County, Texas, with Pastor Lakan Mariano of College Hills Baptist Church in San Angelo, officiating. Viewing will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time in the funeral home chapel.

The family requests that memorials be given to Holiday Hill Activity Department, c/o Elaine Davidson, Box 392, Coleman, Texas 76834. Mary Lou enjoyed being a part of all the activities at Holiday Hill during the three years that she lived there. Memorial donations may also be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, Texas 79605-9989.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.livingmemorials.com.