Brady H. Brooks, 88, of Marion, NC died Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Sunrise Rehab and Care Center surrounded by his family. He was born September 21, 1924 in Richmond County, NC to the late Tyler Bennett Brooks and Catherine White Brooks. He was the next to youngest of seven children, having graduated from High School in Aberdeen, NC. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943, having served as Radioman in the pacific during WWII. Mr. Brooks met Mary Ann Blevens in Detroit, MI in 1945, married in 1946 and relocated to Gadsden, AL where he attended the University of Alabama. While there he operated a book and gift shop, represented as a Southern Airway ticket agent. Mr. Brooks was called back into the US Navy from reserves during the Korean conflict. He was a past member & "Exhausted Rooster" US Junior Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed volunteering in the Brownie Scouts, 4H Club, Cub Scouts, and United Way. He was also a past Roundtable Commissioners of Cub Scouts for Swamp Fox District, First President of the Blue Ridge Association of Life Underwriters, Fifty-five year member and past president of Marion Lions Club, past president of NC State University Agricultural Extension Advisory Board of McDowell County. He moved to Marion, in December 1962. He was past member of the McDowell Merchants Association, McDowell County representative to Western North Carolina Development Association when Asheville Farmers Market was built. He served as Vice President of the McDowell Housing Corporation (Blue Ridge Terrace Apartments), secretary of the McDowell County Housing Authority, 33 year member and past president of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, Charter Member and past president of the McDowell County Board of Realtors, past president of Lady Marion Plaza Merchants Association. He was also a Past member of American Legion & Veterans of Foreign Wars, served 37 years as an agent for Nationwide Insurance Company, Member of First Baptist Church in Marion since 1963. He was a lifelong Democrat and was co-owner of Brooks & Broadwell Realty with Barbara Broadwell.
Surviving Mr. Brooks are his wife Mary Ann Blevins Brooks, of the home, two children; Becky Gorecki, of Marion, Mark Brooks, wife Selina of Matthews, NC, four Grandchildren; Ginger Webb, husband Ben of Marion, Jacob Gorecki, wife Shanna, of Marion, Joseph Gorecki, of Matthews, and Meredith Brooks, student at NCSU and four Great Grandchildren; Tyler Gorecki, Harper Webb, Stella Webb, and Addison Gorecki.
A Memorial service will be held Friday, December 7, 2012 at 4:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Marion with the Rev. Scott Hagaman officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the church prior to the memorial service. A private Graveside Service will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the general fund of First Baptist Church, 99 N. Main St. Marion, NC 28752 or Boys and Girls Homes of NC, 400 Flemington Dr. Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 14, 2012
Gerry Huntley
Dear Brady: You made a strong impact on my career as a Claims Adjuster with Nationwide Insurance in McDowell county in the 70s and 80s. You were always there to help and put peoples' minds at ease. I have carried your lessons through life. I will greatly miss you. They don't make 'em like you anymore, my dear friend.
December 12, 2012
Bryan Ward
I wish I could have met you, I have had the pleasure of knowing your grandson Joe and am sure he is a lot like you. I know you were loved dearly by your family and will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with your family in this very trying time, but we all know your in a better place.
December 11, 2012
Bob Hunter
Brady was a wonderful person who did so much for our community. His leadership along with other members of the Lions club are responsible for the Blue Ridge Apartments for senior citizens.
I will miss my friend Brady.
My prayers are with the family. I am sorry I was out of state and could not attend the service.
December 9, 2012
Susie Poteat
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
December 8, 2012
Connie Scott & Bill Griffith
Dear Mary Ann and family,
Bill and I loved Brady. We had a good many laughs together, especially over all the times people thought Bill was Grady and vice versa.
We will miss him and his wonderful sense of humor.
God bless you,
Connie Scott and Bill Griffith
December 7, 2012
Russell Neighbors
I was proud to call him a friend and mentor. McDowell County will not be the same. Godspeed my fellow Lion.
December 7, 2012
Catherine Martin
I will always remember Uncle Brady for his winning, and playful personality also his great magic what a great man. We always so looked forward to his and Aunt Mary Ann's visits. God speed! Catherine Brooks Martin
December 7, 2012
Rodney Mace
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Brooks death. He was a very nice man and will be greatly missed by the community.
December 7, 2012
Woody Killough
McDowell County has lost a true hero! He was the knight in shinning armor for the blind and seeing impaired of this county and I have lost a friend.
Woody and Freddie Killough
December 7, 2012
Craig and Sabra Bradley
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Brady's grandson, Joe, is a close friend of our son and we want to express our sympathy to Joe as well.
December 7, 2012
Sunrise Rehab
Dear Brooks family,
We were so blessed to know and love Brady. He was such a good friend to all of us at Sunrise Rehab for many years. He always had a smile and he shared so much with all of us. We will greatly miss him and all of his family. Our prayers are with all of you.
The Residents and Staff of Sunrise Rehab
December 6, 2012
Gary Arnold
Brady was a great influence in my life,I was glad to know him. His insight was tremendous and will be missed by all who knew him.Our prayers go out to the family.
December 6, 2012
Penny Davis
On behalf of my mother, Louise Davis, we send our sympathy to Brady's family. Always a friendly smile & warm hello anytime, anywhere.
December 6, 2012
Joseph Self
A man with many accomplishments.... as a fellow sailor, your service is greatly appreciated..
December 6, 2012
Cindy Mode Knul
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
December 6, 2012
Mike Rabb
I am sure that all the other Realtors in McDowell County join me in expressing our condolences to the Brooks family at this time. Please know that the entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Brady was a fine man and he will surely be missed.
December 5, 2012
Carolyn Andrews
Please accept my sympathy in the loss of Brady. He was a fine man of whom I thought highly.
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