Mary Ethel Sparkman Weirich , 74 of Johnson City went to be with our Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 20, 2021. She passed away peacefully with husband and daughter by her side.

She was born to the late Sidney & Voyle Sparkman on February 13, 1947, in Beeville, Texas. Mary graduated from George West High School and received a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University.

One of her proudest accomplishments besides motherhood was editing the book "The People's History of Live Oak County, Texas" which was written by her Grandfather, Ervin L. Sparkman. She dedicated many months of interviewing, typing, researching, and traveling to several places in Live Oak County with her young girls in tow. Most recently in 2019, their book was placed on the Live Oak County Historical Association's website.

Mary was an accomplished musician and shared her gift of playing music on the organ and piano almost her entire life.  She played for all the churches that she was a member of as well as playing for many weddings and funerals over the years. She was also a member of the Singing Women of Texas in which she performed in many churches and prisons across Texas singing the gospel.

On April 8 ^th 2000, she married her true love Edward O. Weirich, with whom she began a new chapter of her life. They eventually left the city life and headed out to the family ranch in Johnson City to retire. In 2003, they officially established their homestead and moved into their custom home.  She loved being back in the country and living the ranch life with her husband. She was always a country girl at heart from being raised on a farm with a chicken hatchery that her parents owned.

One thing everyone knew about Mary is that she loved to chat with everyone. She likely had a story or two to tell, if you had the time to listen.  She could talk for hours sharing stories on just about anything.  I am sure she is rejoicing being reunited with all her loved ones and filling them in about what has been going on since she last saw them.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Voyle Sparkman and her daughter Julie Moses-Carrillo.

She is survived by her loving husband, Edward Weirich and daughter Joelle Roberts-Johnson (Melvin); Granddaughter, Savannah Elkins; and step-grandchildren Cassandra Johnson and Erik Johnson (Jessica)

Visitation will be 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Crofts – Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City, Texas.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday morning at First Baptist Church in Johnson City. Interment will follow at the Johnson City Masonic Cemetery.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Mary's Church in her honor, to, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 417, Johnson City, TX 78636.