Dorothy Nell Shields

Dorothy Nell Sparks Shields, age 89, of Gholson, passed away Thursday evening, January 4, 2018 at West Rest Haven in West. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Gholson, with Rev. James Stevens and Rev. Chris Silva officiating. Burial will follow at Gholson Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Nell was born March 31, 1928 in China Spring, the daughter of the late Gordon and Myrtle (Wortham) Lehman. She attended schools in China Spring, Gholson and West. On April 22, 1944, she was united in marriage to J. W. Sparks, Jr. in Waco. He preceded her in death on April 7, 1983. She then married John K. Shields on September 21, 1985 in Waco. John also preceded her in death on May 31, 1991. Nell worked for General Tire and Rubber Company and Fab-Knit Manufacturing in Waco until her retirement. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gholson and was known as the longest living member of 76 years. Nell was a volunteer at West Rest Haven. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, fishing and playing bingo. She loved spending time with her church family, her children and especially her grandchildren. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Jerry Sparks and wife Carol of Gholson, Royce Sparks and wife Anna of Gholson, Jack Sparks and wife Sherry of Refugio and Ronda Sparks and husband Joe Ash of Waco; grandchildren, Ricky Sparks and wife Becky, Ronnie Sparks and wife Marci, Scott Sparks and wife Cindy, Rev. Chris Silva and wife Amy, Nituna Diaz and husband Chris, J.R. Silva, Lacey Sparks Mueller and husband Dustin, Lucas Sparks and Kaylyn Culverhouse; 18 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Ricky Sparks, Ronnie Sparks, Lucas Sparks, Scott Sparks, Austin Sparks and Jake Sparks. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Gholson Playground Fund. The family wishes to thank all the special friends, relatives and caregivers, including Janice Eastwood, Jo Ann Sparks Allen, a brother-in-law, Tom Blackburn and wife Jeannie, the late Henry Glatter, Glen Burns and Louise Sparks and West Rest Haven Staff as well as Gholson Baptist Church Family.