Geraldine "Jerry" Brooks

Geraldine “Jerry” Brooks, 93, currently of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home after an extended illness on May 27, 2026. She was born on July 15, 1932 in Atmore, Alabama to Jeremiah and Bertha Lee Andress.

At the age of 14, Jerry moved to Greenville, Alabama, where she attended Greenville High School and was crowned Mrs. Camillia City Beauty Queen of 1949. After graduating high school, she spent time at Huntington college pursuing her education.

Jerry met the love of her life, Warren, in 1946 at a shoe store where he worked, when she came in need of some shoe repair. She was wearing a yellow dress, and from that moment, Warren knew he just had to have her. When Warren asked Jerry’s mother if he could have the honor of taking her to prom, Bertha agreed under one condition: they had to go with Jerry’s older sister, Virginia. Warren later joined the United States Air Force and was to be stationed in Spokane, Washington, in the finance department. His father advised him that he was to marry Jerry as soon as possible and not let her go.

Jerry and Warren went to elope in Lucedale, Mississippi, on January 6, 1952. As newlyweds in Washington, they cherished their time together—playing golf, attending basketball games, and sharing amazing food. They later moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where their first child was born, and then to Montgomery, Alabama, where Jerry wanted to settle. They had two more children while living in Montgomery and have lived there since the summer of 1965.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Jerry worked at First National Bank (now Regions Bank). She claimed that her most famous customers were Hank Williams Sr. and Martin Luther King Jr. She later worked alongside her husband in the finance companies that he owned, bringing to every season of life the same hard-working dedication that defined her.

Jerry’s life was marked by steadfast devotion—to her family, her faith, and the people she loved. Her kind heart and loyal spirit were evident in the way she showed up for others, again and again, with quiet strength and unwavering care.

Jerry loved her Lord and was extremely active in her church, First Assembly of God. She was blessed to go on missionary trips to Russia and Scotland, diligently teaching her sunday school class, and visiting those who were less fortunate. She also dearly loved her “Happy Hearts” group, her senior church group, where friendships were nurtured through shared trips and dinners. Jerry loved to travel, explore, and experience new things, and she carried that steady openness into the life she built with those around her.

Family remained the center of Jerry’s world. She lost her daughter, Mary Sydney Brooks McDonald, to cancer at an early age and stepped in to raise Sydney's three sons- Austin, Taylor and Blake. All of her grandchildren were as close to Jerry as her children were. Cherished by those who knew her best, Jerry would do anything for her family, and her legacy will be carried forward in the lives she shaped through faithful love and enduring presence.

Jerry is preceded in death by her parents, Jeremiah and Bertha Lee Andress; daughter, Mary Sydney Brooks McDonald; brother, Jack Andress; and sisters, Virginia Seay and Mary Cronin.

She is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Warren Brooks Jr.; daughter, Gina Brooks Sellers (Darrell); son, Richard Warren Brooks; grandchildren, Leigh Anne Luna, Darrell Sellers Jr. (Suzanne), Austin McDonald (Rachel), Taylor McDonald (Molly) and Blake McDonald; great-grandchildren, Joshua Luna (Karen), Jordan Luna (Jasmine), Jack Luna, Mara McDonald, Aiden McDonald, Sydney McDonald and Lucy McDonald; as well as great-great grandchildren, Chris Salgado, Lucas Luna, Jimi Luna, Ethan Luna, Leia Luna and Julianna Luna.

Visitation will be held at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117, on June 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 pm at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home. A Graveside Service will take place at Alabama Heritage Cemetery, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117, on June 7, 2026.