Jessie Sparks

Jessie Sparks, age 87, our beautiful, precious and loving mother and grandmother answered Jesus's call to return home to heaven on July 12, 2020. Jessie was born to Willie Bautista and Juanita Fernando Bautista in Sterling City, Texas on December 3, 1932. Jessie was a gentle soul who loved God, family and her community.

Jessie was a "cafeteria lady" who loved the children she served and she served thousands of meals before she finally retired after 25 years with Rankin ISD. She loved cooking for her family and attending the football games and cheering on the Rankin Red Devils. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments. She never spoke a bad word against anybody and was always ready to serve others in any way she could. She was proud of having served on the grand jury and manning the voting booths during the elections. She was especially proud of serving her church and read her Bible almost daily until she lost her eyesight. She made friends everywhere she went and never met a stranger.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Gila Anne Davis and Diann Martinez (Mario) both of Big Spring, Texas; Charlie McAnaugh (Letty), Temple Sparks (Kermit Watson) and Stewart Sparks (Nita) of Rankin, Texas; Wendel Sparks (Maria) of San Antonio, Texas and Pam Sparks of Abilene, Texas. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 29 great-great grandchildren. Her siblings include David Bautista, Ofelia Flores, Hortencia Johnson, John Bautista, Zoila Ornelas, Janie Medley and Willie Bautista.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, Vicky Bautista, her husband Hubert Sparks, sons Paul Medina and Doug McAnaugh, Jr., a sister, Oralia Medina and a brother, Bll Bautista.

Our family would like to especially thank the Sterling County Nursing Home who was always there for our mother and took excellent care of her until the very end. She loved her angels Krissy, Laura, Tonya, Christine and Cynthia and her nurses Rachel, Laura, Delaney and Sue. We love you all.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the Rankin Cemetery Pavilion with Pastor Martha Perritt officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.