Dates
Norma Louise Sparks Radle, 87 of Eldorado, went home to be with Jesus and her beloved husband William “Blackie” Radle Jr. on November 17, 2019.
Louise was born in Coleman County on January 30, 1932 to Emmett and Estelle Garrison Sparks. She married the love of her life the day after she graduated Centennial School on May 21, 1949. Together they followed the work of the Texas Highway Department across west Texas and raised a family that included two daughters, Norma Jane & Shirley Jo. Their family lived in Sonora from 1961 to 1973. They then settled in Eldorado and watched their love and their family grow.
While Bill was working and volunteering with the local fire departments, Louise was right beside him. She was active in the Church of Christ and in every community where they lived. She loved to cook and serve her family. You could always find her in the kitchen. Whether it was chicken fried steaks or Christmas candy, she never met someone she didn’t want to feed. She filled our plates and our hearts with her stories. She always had a story to tell about growing up in Valera and raising her family. One of her favorite times to share stories was over a game of Yahtzee or dominoes.
Louise was not only a collector of stories, but a collector of jewelry and an avid quilter and crafter. She was a teacher of life-skills, always willing to pass on her talents in the kitchen or behind the sewing machine to any of her grandchildren or great grandchildren that would sit still long enough to finish a project. Even after she lost most of her sight to macular degeneration, she would make paper bead necklaces to keep her hands busy. She was happiest singing hymns and fishing with family along the river in Junction on camping trips and raising her great-grandkids over the weekends and throughout the summer. Grandma to all, she is best known for her unending hugs and loving words of affirmation and affection. She led her family through five generations in faith, hope, and love leaving a lasting legacy of joy to all she encountered. Despite the fact that she left this earth before all could share one last goodbye, there is peace knowing she is at home with Jesus and her husband once again.
She met Jesus on the other side of heaven alongside family that preceded her in death: parents Emmett and Estelle Sparks, brother Dick Sparks, sisters Judy Johnson and Mildred Singleton, husband William “Bill” Radle Jr., daughter Shirley Jo Odom, and granddaughter Kelly Jo Blakeway.
Mrs. William Radle Jr. is survived by her beloved family: daughter and son-in-law, Norma & Gary Brawner of San Angelo; granddaughters Amy and Andrea Robledo of San Angelo; grandson and family Tim, Barbara, Ally, Johnny, Sara & Emily Brawner of Sumter, South Carolina; great-granddaughter and family Victoria Brown Watson, Dustin Watson and great-great-grandson Quade Allen Watson of Dove Creek; great-grandsons Zachary William Allen Brown of San Angelo and Jimmie Don Fleming of Eldorado.
She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Garland “Buddy”& Betty Sparks of Bryan; sister Georgie Makara of Pennsylvania as well as other nieces and nephews and their families.
She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband of 59 years in the Eldorado cemetery. Services will be held Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Eldorado Cemetery Chapel,, with George Arispe officiating.
Arrangements are with Love Funeral Home.