Mary C. Sparks

Mary Catherine Sparks was born December 12, 1927, in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Reinhold George Albert, Sr and Emilie Ernestine (Koebele) Albert.

As one of twelve children raised on a farm in Steelville, Missouri, Mary worked hard and said it was some of the best times of her life. Farm work made her very strong and instilled an amazing work ethic that lasted her lifetime.

When Mary was 18, she moved to St. Louis where she met her future husband, Albert. They were married 50 years and had two daughters who she adored, Mary Linda (Linda) and Susan Emilie (Susie). She was a great role model and wonderful, loving mother.

Mary began working at Monsanto in St. Louis as a temporary part time worker. Her incredible work ethic enabled her to obtain her GED & complete accounting courses at St. Mary’s College. She was then hired full time as an accounting clerk at Monsanto, a position she loved for over 3 decades. She had many great friends from her time at Monsanto and greatly enjoyed playing on their golf team. After retiring, Mary volunteered for years at Barnes Jewish St. Peters Hospital.

At age 79, Mary moved to Texas to be with her daughter Sue, son-in-law Tom and her four grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, cooking with her daughter and spending time with her grandkids. She was a gifted poet and had a delightful sense of humor. Mary made many new friends in Texas who became like family to her especially at Harbor Chase. She will never be forgotten and always be remembered as their “Sparkles”.

Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96 on Monday, August 5, 2024 in Southlake, Texas.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Albert J. Sparks, cherished daughter Mary Linda LaRose and son-in-law John; treasured Grandson Michael Thomas (Mike) DeCaro; brother George Albert and wife, Sophie; sister Betty Diefenbach and husband Julius; sister Mildred Frey and husband Bill; sister May Pipkin and husband, Jack; sister Dorothy Gravatt and husband Don; brother Art Albert and wife Ginger; brother Reinhold George Albert, Jr. (Junie) and wife Fern; sister Carol Dace and husband Cy; brother-in-law Hank Williams and brother-in-law Harold Slade.

Among those who remain to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are devoted daughter, Susan (Sue) DeCaro, loving son-in-law Tom DeCaro; sister Shirley Mae Williams; brother Bob Albert and wife Joann Albert; sister Joan Virginia Slade; Granddaughters Jenny Lyons, Christy DeCaro and Laurie DeCaro; Great Grandson Jackson Lyons; Great Granddaughters Jocelyn DeCaro and Berkley Jenkins as well as many, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews who were much loved.

A visitation for Mary will be held at J.E. Foust and Son Funeral Home at 523 S. Main Street, Grapevine, Texas 76051 on Saturday, August 17 from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m. Mary will return home to Missouri to be eternally united with her dear husband Albert.

A visitation will be held at Baue Funeral Home Cave Springs on Saturday, August 24th and burial will follow immediately at the adjoining St. Charles Memorial Gardens.