James G. Brooks

James was born on January 31, 1939, to Hubert Brooks and Eva Mae Williams Brooks at 726 Carlton Street in Gainesville, Georgia. James went home to be with the Lord on December 31, 2023, at age 84. He married Patricia D. Brooks at age 17, and then joined the Air Force. They were married for 32 years and raised three children. When the marriage ended and after eight years, he married Barbara Borders Harris, and their marriage grew by two more children encompassing 26 years of marriage and five children (including those living and deceased). He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby sister, Breda, who died in infancy; two children, Trina Brooks Wilkins and Victor A. Brooks. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Barbara Borders Brooks; three children, Carol Diane Brooks Ellison, Bryan C. Harris, and William K. Harris; his brother, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. and Betty Brooks; 21 grandchildren; more great-grands than he could remember; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and his sister and brother-in-love Mary Borders Stevens and Apostle Norman Stevens. James work career following his 22-year military service included several years at TRW. When he left there, he formed a Sole Proprietary business called Brooks Home Care and Repair. James worked all over the community making home improvements and repairs for friends and neighbors. He was a life-long member at St. Paul United Methodist Church, on Summit Street. He served there in various capacities, including the Finance Committee, Trustee, Facility repairperson, and more until his health began to fail. He restored the Church Tower and Bell, and then rang the bell every Sunday morning at 9:30am sharp, there again, until he was unable to pull the cords, then he taught someone to do it. He taught one of the adult Sunday School classes for quite a few years and was an active member of the United Methodist Men. James volunteered in the community by restoring the Eureka Cemetery and organizing a maintenance plan for a long time. He performed that duty until he was unable; He volunteered as a board member with the Gainesville Historic Preservation Commission; He volunteered with Mr. Anderson Flen and District Health by working with young men, teaching them how to make and fly kites, and how to build bird houses. When they finished, each boy had built his own product to take home; He was an active member of the Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society where he designed the first logo and initiated their first Juneteenth Celebration; He was a member of the American Legion Post 328. He loved the history of his community and saved every document and picture he could collect. He was a member of the Men’s Progressive Club for many years, where they met every Saturday morning at the Longstreet Cafeteria and discussed community business during breakfast. Mr. Brooks enjoyed building shops and repairing equipment at home. He was meticulous about his tools and equipment. He took pride in maintaining his property, providing for his family, loving his wife, extended family, and his church. He was particularly fond of his dog, Millie. For a moment of fun, he collected 26 old lawn mowers – some of which he repaired. He taught Barbara how to remove a carburetor from her old ’78 (over the phone) before they were married, and he told her (over the phone) how to install a new one, saying, “it’s only four bolts. You can do it” and she did. This Community, his wife, family, and friends will sorely miss Mr. James G. Brooks.