FRANCIS ASBERRY BROOKS (4) is the son of Williamson Brooks (3) and Susanah (Olliff) Brooks.  Frank was born on August 22, 1837 in Talbot County, Georgia.  On September 17, 1868, Francis Asberry Brooks married Rhoda Hill in Texas.  Rhoda Hill was born on July 6, 1846 in Arkansas and is the daughter of John (Isaac) Hill and Mary Ann (Reed) Hill, both direct ancestors of the author.  For additional information on the Hill Family History, see the section on John (Isaac) Hill.  From 1870 to 1880, they lived in Hays County, Texas.  Frank and Rhoda Brooks were the parents of seven children:

   Julia Elvira Brooks (4.1), b. June 27, 1869, Hays County, Texas
   James Maderson Brooks, b. September 29, 1870, Hays County, Texas
   Benjamin Williamson Brooks (4.3), b. August 22, 1872, Hays County, Texas
   Francis Martin Brooks (4.4), b. January 28, 1874, Hays County, Texas
   Robert Wesley Brooks (5), b. January 1, 1876, Hays County, Texas
   Ernest Brooks (4.6), b. March 28, 1878, Hays County, Texas
   Thomas A. Brooks, b. November 14, 1882, Hays County, Texas

On May 30, 1883, Rhoda (Hill) Brooks died of consumption and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery.  On January 6, 1884, Francis Asberry Brooks married a second time to Victoria Alabama (Glover) Deck.  Victoria was born on July 16, 1840 in Mobile, Alabama and is the daughter of G. N. Glover.  Victoria (Glover) Deck had twelve children by her previous marriage:  Margaret Gains Deck (born May 25, 1857), Miles Burke Deck (born February 29, 1860), Mark Williams Deck (born September 19, 1862), Walter Scott Deck and Franklin Campbell Deck (twins, born April 19, 1864), Cornelious Deck and Lebbeous Deck (twins, born January 13, 1866), Mary Ann Deck (born November 16, 1868), Lee Pomeroy Deck (born June 22, 1870), Aquila Damaris Deck (born March 9, 1872), Goodwill Nathaniel Deck (born July 4, 1875) and Lyddia Victoria Deck (born September 5, 1877).  Frank and Victoria Brooks also were the parents of one son:

   Sylvester Wyatt Brooks (4.8), b. February 18, 1885, Hays County, Texas

Francis Asberry Brooks died on July 28, 1897 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery in Wimberley, Texas.  Victoria (Deck) Brooks died on March 16, 1918 in San Antonio, Texas.  Victoria was a great story teller and she knew the Bible by heart.  Many of her sons and grandsons were ministers, elders and deacons in the Church of Christ.  Excerpts from the diary and account book of Frank Brooks are included in the back of this book.  Thomas A. Brooks died on December 20, 1882 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery in Wimberley, Texas.  James Maderson Brooks died on October 13, 1895 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery in Wimberley, Texas.

References:  1)  1870 and 1880 Censuses, Hays County, Texas;  2)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  3)  Certificate of Death, Victoria A. Brooks, 1918;  4)  Family Bible of Williamson Brooks, in possession of Gregg Blair, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;  5)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  6)  Family Group Sheet of Francis A. Brooks, by Bernice Casey, 1976;  7)  Letter, Austin Brooks to Bernice Casey, November 29, 1979;  8)  Interview, Eunice Watson by Robert Casey, January, 1981

Photograph, Left to Right:  Robert Wesley Brooks, Francis Asberry Brooks and Ernest Brooks, photograph taken on May 11, 1886 (see entry in diary)

Photograph, Rhoda (Hill) Brooks

Photograph, Left to Right:  Sylvester Wyatt Brooks, Robert Wesley Brooks, Benjamin Williamson Brooks and Ernest Brooks

Photograph, James Maderson Brooks

JULIA ELVIRA BROOKS (4.1) is the daughter of Francis Asberry Brooks and Rhoda (Hill) Brooks.  Julia was born on June 27, 1869 in Hays County, Texas.  On October 27, 1886, Julia Brooks married Albert “Barney” Egger in Hays County, Texas.  Barney was born on October 20, 1866 in Mississippi and is the son of James Latham Egger (born 1847 in Tennessee) and Susie (Dean) Egger (born 1844 in Mississippi).  In 1900, Barney and Julia Egger were living in Hays County, Texas.  Barney and Julia Egger were the parents of five children:

   Monroe Egger, b. September 28, 1887, Hays County, Texas
   Thomas James Egger (4.1.2), b. September 12, 1889, Hays County, Texas
   Rufus Egger, b. August 4, 1891, Hays County, Texas
   Ethel Egger, b. April 10, 1894, Hays County, Texas
   Effie Egger (4.1.5), b. January 16, 1899, Hays County, Texas

Julia (Brooks) Egger died on September 19, 1900 in Wimberley, Texas and was buried in the Jacobs Well Cemetery in Hays County, Texas.  After Julia’s death, Barney married again to Rhoda Hill, a niece of his former mother-in-law, Rhoda (Hill) Brooks.  For additional information on the descendants of Barney and Rhoda Egger, see the sketch of Rhoda Hill (12.1.7) in the Hill Family History section.  Barney Egger married a third time to Lydia Medows (born 1890 in Texas) and they had no children.  In 1910, Barney and Lydia Egger were living in Concho County, Texas.  Albert “Barney” Egger died on April 17, 1911 in San Angelo, Texas and was buried in Eden, Texas.  In 1920, Monroe was living in Esmeralda County, Nevada.  Monroe Egger never married and died in Nevada.  Rufus Egger had a rock shop at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.  Rufus Egger and his wife, Jewell, married and had one son:  -  Barney Egger.  Rufus’ son, Barney, had three children and died in Wyoming.  Rufus Egger died on November 22, 1956 in Yellowstone National Park.  Ethel Egger never married and died in Eden, Texas.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Hays County, Texas (Barney and Julia Egger);  2)  1920 Census, Concho County, Texas (Barney Egger);  3)  1920 Census, Esmeralda County, Nevada (Monroe Egger);  4)  Certificate of Death, Albert Barney Egger, 1911;  5)  Genweb, Jacobs Well Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas (Julia Egger);  6)  Hays County Historical and Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume XI, Number 4, December, 1977, Page 153;  7)  Letter, Mrs. Roy Martin to Robert Casey, December, 1980;  8)  Interview, Belle (Egger) Frazier by Robert Casey, January, 1981;  9)  Letter, Harold Honeyfield to Robert Casey, July, 1994;  10)  Phone Interview, Johnnie (Frazier) Phifer by Robert Casey, September, 2003

Photograph, Julia (Brooks) Egger

THOMAS JAMES EGGER (4.1.2) is the son of Albert “Barney” Egger and Julia Elvira (Brooks) Egger.  Tom was born on September 12, 1889 in Hays County, Texas.  Tom Egger married a woman named Danie (born 1896 in Texas).  Tom and Danie Egger were the parents of three children.

   Keva Egger, b. 1912, Texas
   Irene Egger, b. 1917, Texas
   Gilbert Egger, b. 1919, Texas

In 1920, Tom and Danie Egger were living in Concho County, Texas.  In 1930, Tom Egger was living in the State Sanatorium in Tom Green County, Texas.  Tom J. Egger died of tuberculosis on July 28, 1930 at the City Sanatorium in San Angelo, Texas.  Two sons of Tom Egger moved to Florida.

References:  1)  1920 Census, Concho County, Texas;  2)  1930 Census, Tom Green County, Texas;  3)  Certificate of Death, Tom J. Egger, 1930;  4)  Letter, Mrs. Roy Martin to Robert Casey, December, 1980;  5)  Interview, Belle (Egger) Frazier by Robert Casey, January, 1981;  6)  Phone Interview, Johnnie (Frazier) Phifer by Robert Casey, September, 2003

EFFIE EGGER (4.1.5) is the daughter of Albert Barney Egger and Julia Elvira (Brooks) Egger.  Effie was born on January 16, 1899 in Hays County, Texas.  Effie Egger married L. B. Stephenson (born 1898 in Texas).  L. B. and Effie Stephenson were the parents of three children:

   L. B. Stephenson, Jr., b. June 10, 1920, Kyle, Texas
   Clifford Erwin Stephenson, b. October 11, 1922, Kyle, Texas
   Allen Keith Stephenson, b. September 25, 1930, San Marcos, Texas

L. B. Stephenson was an electrician for the Lower Colorado River Authority.  L. B. Stephenson lived in Kyle, Texas.  In 1920 and 1930, L. B. and Effie Stephenson were living in Hays County, Texas.  Effie (Egger) Stephenson died on October 16, 1959 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery.  In 1942, L. B. Stephenson, Jr. married Marcella “Scottie” Collins in Del Rio, Texas.  L. B. and Scottie Stephenson have two children:  -  Roberta Lee Stephenson,  -  L. B. Stephenson, III.  L. B. Stephenson, Jr. died in Danville, Illinois.

On October 12, 1943, Clifford Stephenson married Helen Bingham in San Marcos, Texas.  Clifford and Helen Stephenson have one daughter:  -  Gayle Stephenson, b. June 28, 1946.  As of 1980, Clifford Stephenson was living in Wimberley, Texas.  On January 28, 1965, Gayle Stephenson married Ronald Ralph Weir in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Ron and Gayle Weir have two children:  -  Jeffrey Wayne Weir, b. February 13, 1968,  -  Jennifer Lynn Weir, b. October 13, 1979.

Allen Stephenson married Charlotte Baxley in San Marcos, Texas and they have three children:  -  Lex Allen Stephenson,  -  Keithia Stephenson,  -  Patricia Stephenson.  Allen Stephenson moved to California in the 1950’s.

References:  1)  1920 and 1930 Censuses, Hays County, Texas;  2)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  3)  Interview, Clifford E. Stephenson by Robert Casey, December 8, 1980;  4)  Interview, Clifford E. Stephenson by Robert Casey, October, 1982;  5)  Letter, Harold Honeyfield to Robert Casey, August, 1994

BENJAMIN WILLIAMSON BROOKS (4.3) is the son of Francis Asberry Brooks and Rhoda (Hill) Brooks.  Ben was born on August 22, 1872 in Hays County, Texas.  In 1900, Ben was living in Washita County, Oklahoma.  During the early 1900’s, Ben and his brother, Robert Brooks, drilled water wells in western Oklahoma.  On November 8, 1903, Ben Brooks married Ethel Lee McDonald in Washita County, Oklahoma.  Ethel was born on May 2, 1885 in Harding, Missouri and is the daughter of John W. McDonald and Lodosky (Smallwood) McDonald.  Ben and Ethel Brooks were the parents of one son who died at the age of six weeks in 1904.  Later, they adopted Mary Sue Mobley at the age of six from Tipton’s Orphan Home located in Tipton, Oklahoma:

   Mary Sue Brooks (4.3.1), b. December 15, 1924, Gore, Oklahoma

In 1910, Ben and Ethel Brooks were living in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.  Ben and Ethel Brooks farmed near Grimes, Oklahoma for twenty-two years and then farmed two miles east of Elk City, Oklahoma for twenty years.  In 1945, Ben Brooks retired and moved into Elk City.  Ben Brooks died on December 26, 1960 and Ethel (McDonald) Brooks died on December 23, 1979.  Both were buried in Elk City, Oklahoma.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Washita County, Oklahoma;  2)  1910 Census, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma;  3)  Story of Beckham County, Oklahoma, Page 88;  4)  Family Group Sheet by Bernice Casey, May 10, 1976;  5)  Family Record, by Bernice Casey;  6)  Obituary, Ethel Brooks, Elk City Daily News, December 24, 1979

Photograph, Benjamin Williamson Brooks and Ethel Lee (McDonald) Brooks

MARY SUE BROOKS (4.3.1) is the adopted daughter of Benjamin Wiliamson Brooks and Ethel (McDonald) Brooks.  Mary Sue was born on December 15, 1924 in Gore, Oklahoma.  Mary Sue graduated from Elk City High School.  On December 24, 1944, Mary Sue Brooks married Harry Shropshire.  Harry was from New York City and was stationed at the Clinton Air Force Base during World War II.  Harry and Mary Sue Shropshire are the parents of four children:

   Anita Sue Shropshire (4.3.1.1), b. December 13, 1945, New York City, New York
   Lee Ann Shropshire (4.3.1.2), b. January 26, 1949, Elk City, Oklahoma
   Harriet Shropshire (4.3.1.3), b. September 28, 1955, Elk City, Oklahoma
   Harry Benjamin Shropshire, b. September 5, 1965, Elk City, Oklahoma

Harry Shropshire, Sr. works for an oil well service company and Mary Sue Shropshire owns and operates a clothing alteration shop in Elk City, Oklahoma.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Bernice Casey, May 10, 1976;  2)  Family Record, by Bernice Casey;  3)  Interview, Mary Sue (Brooks) Shropshire by Bernice Casey, October, 1982

Photograph, Harriet (Shropshire) Wray, Harry Shropshire, Anita Sue (Shropshire) Hughes, Mary Sue (Brooks) Shropshire and Lee Ann (Shropshire) Smith

ANITA SUE SHROPSHIRE (4.3.1.1) is the daughter of Harry Shropshire and Mary Sue (Brooks) Shropshire.  Anita Sue was born on December 13, 1945 in New York City, New York.  On December 8, 1964, Anita Sue Shropshire married Alan Robert Hughes.  Robert and Anita Sue Hughes are the parents of one daughter:

   Terri Lynn Hughes, b. August 18, 1966, Elk City, Oklahoma

In 1979, Robert and Anita Sue Hughes were living in Phoenix, Arizona.  Robert and Anita Sue Hughes were divorced and as of 1982, Anita Sue and her daughter, Terri, were living in Elk City, Oklahoma.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet of Benjamin W. Brooks, by Bernice Casey, May 10, 1976;  2)  Obituary, Ethel Brooks, Elk City Daily News, December 24, 1979;  3)  Interview, Mary Sue (Brooks) Shropshire by Bernice Casey, October, 1982

LEE ANN SHROPSHIRE (4.3.1.2) is the daughter of Harry Shropshire and Mary Sue (Brooks) Shropshire.  Lee Ann was born on January 26, 1949 in Elk City, Oklahoma.  On October 31, 1968, Lee Ann Shropshire married Michael Smith.  Michael and Lee Ann Smith are the parents of two sons:

   Steven Michael Smith, b. May 19, 1969, Clinton Sherman AFB, Oklahoma
   Thomas Dale Smith, b. April 23, 1971, Sayre, Oklahoma

Michael and Lee Ann Smith were divorced.  As of 1979, Lee Ann Smith lives with her two sons in Elk City, Oklahoma.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet of Benjamin W. Brooks, by Bernice Casey, May 10, 1976;  2)  Family Record, Bernice Casey;  3)  Obituary, Ethel Brooks, Elk City Daily News, December 24, 1979

HARRIET SHROPSHIRE (4.3.1.3) is the daughter of Harry Shropshire and Mary Sue (Brooks) Shropshire.  Harriet was born on September 28, 1955 in Elk City, Oklahoma.  On June 29, 1973, Harriet Shropshire married Michael Allen Wray.  Mike is the son of Ralph A. Wray and Wanda Wray.  Mike and Harriet Wray are the parents of two children:

   Monica Michele Wray, b. July 8, 1975
   Melissa Nichole Wray, b. July 29, 1978

In 1979, Mike and Harriet Wray were living in Woodward, Oklahoma.  As of 1982, they live in Elk City, Oklahoma.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet of Benjamin W. Brooks, by Bernice Casey, May 10, 1976;  2)  Obituary, Ethel Brooks, Elk City Daily News, December 24, 1979;  3)  Letter, Harriet (Shropshire) Wray to Bernice Casey, November 1, 1982

FRANCIS MARTIN BROOKS (4.4) is the son of Francis Asberry Brooks and Rhoda (Hill) Brooks.  Mart was born on January 28, 1874 in Hays County, Texas.  On November 8, 1898, Francis Martin Brooks married Maude Melinda Meeks.  Maude was born on January 1, 1879 and is the daughter of Randolph Calhoun Meeks (born 1836) and Rachel Ellen (Baker) Meeks (born 1845 in Texas).  In 1900, Mart and Maude Brooks were living in Hays County, Texas.  Mart and Maude Brooks were the parents of one son:

   Orrell Jack Brooks (4.4.1), b. May 18, 1900, Texas

Francis Martin Brooks died on January 28, 1901 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery in Wimberley, Texas.  Maude later married Tom M. McClanahan (born 1881 in Texas).  In 1930, Tom and Maude McClanahan were living in Hays County, Texas.  Tom McClanahan died on March 24, 1951 and Maude (Meeks) McClanahan died on April 23, 1958 in San Marcos, Texas.  Both were buried in the Butler Cemetery located five miles southeast of Driftwood, Texas.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Hays County, Texas;  2)  1930 Census, Hays County, Texas, ED 105-13, SH 2A;  3)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  4)  Certificate of Death, Maude McClanahan, 1958;  5)  Hays County Historical and Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume III, Number 1, March, 1969, Page 35;  6)  Hays County Historical and Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume IX, Number 2, June, 1975, Pages 15 - 16

Photograph, Francis Martin Brooks

ORRELL JACK BROOKS (4.4.1) is the son of Francis Martin Brooks and Maude Melinda (Meeks) Brooks.  Jack was born on May 18, 1900 in Texas.  Jack Brooks married and was the father of three children:

   Jack Brooks, Jr., b. 1924
   Charles Ray Brooks, b. 1926
   Name Unknown

In 1942, Jack Brooks and his family were living in Columbus, Texas.  Orrell Jack Brooks died in Austin, Texas on October 15, 1960 and was buried in the Butler Cemetery in Hays County, Texas.

References:  1)  Letter, Mrs. T. M. McClanahan to R. W. Brooks, July 21, 1941;  2)  Letter, Mrs. T. M. McClanahan to Robert Brooks, February 11, 1942;  3)  Certificate of Death, Jack Brooks, 1960;  4)  Hays County Historical and Genealogical Society Quaterly, Volume 3, Number 1, March, 1969, Page 35

ERNEST BROOKS (4.6) is the son of Francis Asberry Brooks and Rhoda (Hill) Brooks.  Ernest was born on March 28, 1878 in Hays County, Texas.  In 1900, Ernest Brooks was living with his brother, Martin Brooks, in Hays County, Texas.  On March 28, 1905, Ernest Brooks married Mary Wilson in Wimberley, Texas.  Mary was born on July 7, 1879 in Hays County, Texas and is the daughter of John Carle Wilson and Augusta (Boerne) Wilson.  John was known as “Norway” and his last name was actually Oleson but it was anglicized to Wilson.  After they married, Ernest and Mary Brooks moved to Grimes, Oklahoma Territory.  Ernest and Mary Brooks were the parents of three children:

   Elva M. Brooks (4.6.1), b. January 26, 1906, Grimes, Oklahoma Territory
   Hazel L. Brooks (4.6.2), b. August 18, 1907, Grimes, Oklahoma
   Ernest Arle Brooks (4.6.3), b. August 28, 1909, Grimes, Oklahoma

In 1910, Ernest and Mary Brooks were living in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.  Around 1910, Ernest and Mary Brooks returned to Texas and settled in south Texas to clear land for cotton farming.  In 1930, Ernest and Mary Brooks were living in Hays County, Texas.  Because there were few neighbors and no schools,  Mary Brooks taught her own children.  Around 1915, Ernest Brooks and family moved to Stockdale, Texas where Ernest was an overseer for a 700 acre cotton farm.  Because of their mother’s teaching, Elva entered third grade, Hazel entered second grade and Arle entered first grade.  Around 1920, Ernest and Mary Brooks moved to San Marcos, Texas.  Ernest Brooks died on January 18, 1957 in San Marcos, Texas and Mary (Wilson) Brooks died on June 24, 1972 in San Marcos, Texas.  Both were buried in the Wimberley Cemetery near Wimberley, Texas.

References:  1)  1900 and 1930 Censuses, Hays County, Texas;  2)  1910 Census, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma;  3)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  4)  Family Group Sheet by Bernice Casey, 1976;  5)  “Wimberley Legacy,” by Williedell Schawe, Pages 35 - 37;  6)  Letter, Elva (Brooks) Stringer to Bernice Casey, November 25, 1980

Photograph, Ernest Brooks and Mary (Wilson) Brooks

ELVA M. BROOKS (4.6.1) is the daughter of Ernest Brooks and Mary (Wilson) Brooks.  Elva was born on January 26, 1906 in Grimes, Oklahoma Territory.  Elva met Harold Stringer at the San Marcos Air Field where he taught instrumental flying during World War II.  On June 3, 1945, Elva Brooks married James Harold Stringer.  Harold was born on Whidbey Island near Seattle, Washington and is the son of George Stringer and Ann (Kelly) Stringer.  Harold received a degree from the University of Washington and Elva received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas in 1929.  Harold and Elva Stringer have no children.  From 1945 to 1980, Harold and Elva Stringer were living in Kennewick, Washington.

References:  1)  Interview, Hazel (Brooks) Rose, by Robert Casey, 1980;  2)  Letter, Elva (Brooks) Stringer to Bernice Casey, November 25, 1980

Photograph, Elva (Brooks) Stringer

HAZEL L. BROOKS (4.6.2) is the daughter of Ernest Brooks and Mary (Wilson) Brooks.  Hazel was born on August 18, 1907 in Grimes, Oklahoma.  In 1929, Hazel received a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.  On June 2, 1940, Hazel Brooks married Roy Rose (born June 1, 1908).  Roy and Hazel Rose had no children.  Hazel (Brooks) Rose was a school teacher for 28 years and taught in Melrose and Portales, New Mexico for eleven years and in Wimberley, Texas for seven years.  Roy Rose died on October 27, 1975 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery.  From 1963 to 1981, Hazel (Brooks) Rose lived on Canyon Lake near New Braunfels, Texas.  In August of 1981, Hazel moved to Benton, Kentucky.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Bernice Casey, 1976;  2)  Interview, Hazel (Brooks) Rose by Robert Casey, October 28, 1979;  3)  Interview, Hazel (Brooks) Rose by Robert Casey, August, 1981

Photograph, Hazel (Brooks) Rose

ERNEST ARLE BROOKS (4.6.3) is the son of Ernest Brooks and Mary (Wilson) Brooks.  Arle was born on August 28, 1909 in Grimes, Oklahoma.  In 1935, Arle received a degree from Texas Christian University.  Arle Brooks studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and did social work in Texas with the Classification Section of the Texas Prison System.  During 1940, he worked for the American Friends Service Committee (Quakers) in a work camp for boys.  Arle Brooks was a Quaker and was therefore against war.  During World War II, he would have been exempted from combat because he was a minister.  However, Arle had the courage to stand up for a principal and refused to register for the draft.  He was sentenced and served one year for refusing to register and another two years for not having a draft card.  Following his release from prison, Arle rejoined the staff of the Quaker Service Committee as Secretary of the Prison Service Committee.  He spent most of his time visiting men in state and federal prisons as well as county jails, reform schools, army disciplinary barracks and other places of detention.

On October 22, 1944, Arle Brooks married Arthelia Marguerite Hilleary at the home of Ernest Brooks near San Marcos, Texas.  Tillie was born on February 11, 1915 at Alpena, West Virginia and is the daughter of John Edward Hilleary and Gertrude Elizabeth (Hertig) Hilleary.  Tillie received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia and a Master of Arts degree from Scarritt College in Nashville, Tennessee.  Arle and Tillie Brooks were the parents of three children:

   Paula Brooks, b. August 28, 1945, San Marcos, Texas
   Marla Brooks (4.6.3.2), b. March 17, 1947, Elkins, West Virginia
   Dena Brooks (4.6.3.3), b. August 21, 1949, Celo, North Carolina

Arle Brooks died of cancer on July 6, 1953 and was buried in the Celo Community Cemetery near Burnsville, North Carolina.  Tillie has worked for an agriculture laboratory and a newspaper, programmed for a radio station, taught fifth grade and has served 26 years as a home missionary of the Methodist Church.  In 1981, she became the resident manager of the Lakewood Wesley Village retirement complex.  Paula Brooks has worked as a keypunch operator in Juneau, Alaska and Washington, D. C.  In 1968, Paula moved to Portland, Oregon where she currently works for an insurance company.

References:  1)  Letter, Tillie (Hilleary) Brooks to Bernice Casey, January 10, 1981;  2)  Letter, Elva (Brooks) Stringer to Bernice Casey, November 25, 1980;  3)  Letter, Elva (Brooks) Stringer to Bernice Casey, December 17, 1980

Photograph, Arle Brooks

MARLA BROOKS (4.6.3.2) is the daughter of Arle Brooks and Arthelia Marguerite (Hilleary) Brooks.  Marla’s name was originally spelled Maryla, but she later dropped the “y” when she was in college.  Marla was born on March 17, 1947 in Elkins, West Virginia.  Marla played basketball for the East Yancy High School team.  During her last years, her team were champions, losing only three games in three years.  Marla is still active in sports and plays women’s league basketball and volleyball and also plays golf.  From 1965 to 1966, Marla attended Brevard College in Brevard, North Carolina.  On September 3, 1966, Marla Brooks married <$ILang;Charles Baxter>Charles Baxter Lang of Slater, South Carolina.  Marla and Charles were married in Fort Rucker, Alabama where Charles was stationed in the army.  Charles and Marla Lang were the parents of two sons:

   Robert Charles Lang, b. July 5, 1968, Burnsville, North Carolina
   Derek Stephan Lang, b. November 24, 1969, Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Marla and Charles Lang were separated in May of 1969 and were divorced on July 7, 1970.  On May 9, 1971, Marla married Jerry Dean Hoover in Celo, North Carolina.  Jerry is the son of James Wesley Hoover and Nelle (Styles) Hoover.  Jerry and Marla were the parents of one son:

   James Arle Hoover, b. October 2, 1973, Asheville, North Carolina

In June of 1980, Marla and Jerry separated and as of January of 1981, Marla Hoover and her three sons live in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

References:  1)  Letter, Tillie (Hilleary) Brooks to Bernice Casey, January 10, 1981;  2)  Letter, Marla (Brooks) Hoover to Bernice Casey, January, 26, 1981

DENA BROOKS (4.6.3.3) is the daughter of Arle Brooks and Arthelia Marguerite (Hilleary) Brooks.  Dena was born on August 21, 1949 in Celo, North Carolina.  Dena lived in Hawaii for seven years and attended Hilo Community College and Hawaii University at Hilo while living there.  On May 13, 1978, Dena Brooks married Edward Charles Langowski (born March 12, 1951) in Rossmoor, California.  Ed was previously married and had one son:  Peter Langowski (born February, 1971).  As of 1982, Ed and Dena Langowski live in Torrance, California where Dena attends El Camino Junior College.

References:  1)  Letter, Tillie (Hilleary) Brooks to Bernice Casey, January 10, 1981;  2)  Letter, Dena (Brooks) Langowski to Bernice Casey, January 18, 1981