De Leon in Comanche County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Frances Marie Sparks Brown
(October 17, 1849 - January 1, 1934)
Photographed by James Hulse, November 21, 2020
1. Frances Marie Sparks Brown Marker
Frances Marie Sparks, a native of North Carolina and daughter of Daniel and Kezziah Sparks, married Thomas Brown in 1865. They lived in Grayson County, Texas, before moving to a 410 - acre farm near here about 1876. During the 1880s and 1890s Frances served as a midwife and lay doctor for families in the area known as "Aunt Fanny " she often rode 6-8 miles by horseback at night to deliver a baby. Despite her husband's death in 1912 Frances skillfully managed her farm and reared 12 children while continuing to nurse many of her neighbors back to health.
Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2045.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 32° 6.758′ N, 98° 31.584′ W. Marker is in De Leon, Texas, in Comanche County. It is on Festival Lane 0.2 miles south of East Navarro Avenue (State Highway 6), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 S Festival Lane, De Leon TX 76444, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old De Leon Cemetery (here, next to this marker); De Leon Peanut Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); Texas Central Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); Laura Valenta (approx. 0.7 miles away); De Leon World War II Memorial (approx. 0.7
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Mary Frances “Fannie” Sparks Brown. Findagrave.com (Submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Midwifery. Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
3. Women and Health. Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, November 21, 2020
2. Frances Marie Sparks Brown Marker - old location
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
3. New location of Frances Marie Sparks Brown Marker
Marker is on the left; Old De Leon Cemetery marker (23219) is on the right
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on September 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
