Gene Brooks

Gene Brooks, 87, passed away to his heavenly home on May 27, 2017 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA after suffering a stroke.  Gene was born in Columbus, Georgia on August 7, 1929 to James Benjamin Brooks and Cleo Turner Brooks.  He lived in Columbus and in Harris County, Georgia until 1945, when his family moved to Talladega, Alabama.  Gene graduated from Talladega High School in 1945 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with minors in Math and Engineering from Auburn University in 1950. While at Auburn, he met his wife of more than 66 years, Ella Frances Romine Brooks and they were married on August 11, 1950.  Gene received his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1954.

The ministry was Gene’s calling in life.  He began his ministry at Winterboro Baptist Church of Alpine, AL.  Other churches he pastored were the Riverside Heights Baptist Church of Tallassee, AL, the First Baptist Church of Soperton, GA, Lakewood Baptist Church of Gainesville, GA, and Woodlawn Baptist Church of Augusta, GA.   Throughout the years, he was active in various positions with the Daniel Baptist and Chattahoochee Baptist Associations and civic and community organizations. After retirement, he served as interim pastor at three churches in north Georgia and was interim consultant for the Georgia Baptist Convention Cooperative Program.  He enjoyed singing in the First Baptist Church choir, teaching Sunday School, playing tennis, doing pencil drawings, watching the Atlanta Braves, and eating peaches especially from Jaemor Farms.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents. His survivors include his wife, Ella; children, Ruth Hall and son-in-law Tom Hall of Cumming, GA, Lois Brooks of Gainesville, GA, and Rebekah Brooks and grandchildren, Arendje Louter and Mara Louter of Seattle, WA; sister, Ina Durham and brother-in-law, Harry Durham of Clemson, SC; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His memorial service will held Sunday June 4, 2017 at 3:00 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville, GA.  Visitation will follow the service in the banquet hall of the church.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Ministry of Caring or the Music Suite Fund of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville, GA. Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.