Eda is the 5th child and 2nd daughter of William Sparks (b. 3 April 1761 in Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina and died in 1848 in Nacogdoches, Texas, USA) & Mary Fielder (b. 1769 in Virginia)

 

The family of Edith Sparks came to Texas from Mississippi with Austin's Colony, settling near Palestine. This family gave land for the first Baptist Church built in Texas. The church was actually organized in Illinois because Mexico, which claimed Texas, prohibited Protestants from organizing churches in Texas. It was organized in July of 1833, then the entire flock moved to Austin's Colony where they arrive November 12, 1833. James and Edith Simmons moved to Collin County in 1859 settling near Forest Gove where they helped to organize the Old Orchard Gap Primitive Baptist Church and James Simmons was its first minister.

 

From a book titled "Collin County: Pioneering in North Texas" Paragraph from F-A-G Contributor Sherry (#47010546)