Maria Martha Sparks 85 of Abilene passed away Tuesday November 1 2011.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in Hawley Cemetery with Bob Patterson officiating under the direction of North's Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at North's Memorial Chapel 242 Orange St . Ms. Sparks was born December 9 1925 in Blaichach Germany to Louis and Freida Lederle. She married Dan Sparks  November 4 1947 in Germany . They moved to Hawley Texas in 1952. Ms. Sparks worked as a Certified Medical Assistant for over twenty-five years. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for eight years. She was also a member of the Over the Hill Gang. She is preceded in death by her parents husband one brother and one grandson. She is survived by four sons; John Sparks and wife Anna Tom Sparks Dany Sparks and wife Tiffany and James Sparks and wife Shirley. One daughter; Jeannette Ball and husband Glenn. Eleven grandchildren seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. The family wishes to thank Care Inn of Abilene and staff Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Headstream and staff and Hendrick Hospice for the wonderful care given to our Mother. Online condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com