Bessie Mae Brooks

Bessie Mae Manning Cook Brooks, 95 of Pensacola died in her home Thursday, March 16, 2023. Ms. Brooks was born March 8,1928 to Robert Rueben Manning and Bessie Lee Snider Manning. She worked at Chemstrand (now Solutia) from 1956 to 1980, retiring medically for disability since she had 2 ruptured discs. Bessie had been a member of Easley Church of the Nazarene since 1973 serving on the Benevolent Team: Bessie and Jewel Watford cooked complete meals (ham, fried chicken, roast), dressing, dumplings, peas and beans, okra plus … for 17 years providing for parishioners that are sick, have lost a loved one – also helped with birthdays, weddings and funerals. Bessie could work a double shift and still stay up all night cooking for whoever in her church family that needed anything. She did not miss a wedding or funeral and she lost many friends.

Bessie’s mother-in-law Myrtie Mae Cook, and mother-in-law Clydie Barnhill Brooks all preceded Ms. Brooks in death.

Hollis Cook, first husband was killed in December 1946. Second husband (married July 5, 1949) passed away March 28, 2002.

Bessie had 6 sisters, 8 brothers all preceded her in death. In the late 1940’s, Mennonites from Davisville, Walnut Hill, Huxford, McCullough and Atmore would leave groceries on her front door to help her feed her boys.

Sons Hurley, Hollis Junior and William Harvey Cook all preceded her in death. Survivors include Annice Brooks Moore of Pensacola, brother-in-law Larry (Kathy) Brooks of Uriah, AL, sister-in-law Bonnie Peavy Brooks of Bay-Minette, AL, 6 grandchildren Clayton Hollis Moore of Pensacola FL, Richard H. Davis III (Jolyanne) of Whitehall, PA, Cynthia Leigh Green (James) of Hawaii, Michael Wayne Cook (Tracy) of Columbus, GA, William Cook (Michelle) of Smyrna, GA, 9 great grandchildren, 22 nieces and nephews.

Bessie married Hollis Cook in 1942, had her first child, it was a boy, William Harley Cook born December 23, 1943, had second boy, Harley Cook born December 1945, was carrying her third child when in December 1946, he was killed in a truck accident. One month later on January 16, 1947, Hollis Junior Cook was born. Bessie was 18 years old with 3 boys under 3 years old. She picked cotton to support her family. When all the boys were walking, all three tagged along helping their mother. This was Bessie’s greatest triumph. She’d already lost her husband, then tragedies began too soon – but her faith in God was so strong, her trust was complete – she never even questioned Him.

She stayed faithful, dedicated to serving her living God, the loving Christ. God took care of her, giving her a ridiculous work ethic. She worked harder than anyone, male or female. She told her daughter how she could out pick cotton – man or woman -she picked 500 pounds a day. Her daughter didn’t believe her but one day they were in K-mart (1964 Davis Hwy), some man from her childhood came over – why you’re Bessie Mae Manning and this HAS to be your daughter. He said, “girl, do you know your mother was the best cotton picker around? She out picked the men”. See…All of us. Bessie was also blessed that the Minonites in Davisville, Walnut Hill, Atmore and surrounding small towns took her food and left it at her door. Suppose that is why she was so benevolent – because she wanted to give back some of her blessings. This was in the late 1940’s.

In July 1949, Bessie married William Brooks of Uriah, AL – the next year they had a beautiful curly headed girl. She only weighed 4 lbs. 12 ounces. They named her Annice Brooks. Six months later in September 1950, the middle son Hurley passed away of polio.

On October 7, 1964, Hollis Junior dropped his baby sister off at school, Brentwood Junior High. He picked up his girlfriend at the front of the school. One block further at the railroad tracks, Hollis Junior hit the third car of a cargo train. It killed both the son and his girlfriend, Sandra Cort. It was a horrible crash and was very hard for Bill and Bessie. Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1980’s. They did a complete mastectomy on her left breast, had to go in a few months later to remove the lymph nodes from under both arms, even down her arms. Bessie had a couple of strokes, heart problems and was in and out of the hospital from 25 years old until age 95. She was remarkable – always believing God had touched her, made her whole.

In 1991 – January 27, Harvey’s sister-in-law went over to his house to tell him that her husband, Joe King (Harvey’s best friend) hit her in the head with a gun (and left a knot). This was never acceptable to Harvey, so after the Super Bowl Game was over, he went looking for Joe. He found him home at 9:30 that night. They began to tussle on Joe’s front porch. Joe pulled a gun out of his pocket, they wrestled for it. It went off at point blank range, bouncing though Harvey’s rib cage (above and below), going through all major organs. He was gone within 3 minutes. The singing party stopped as the Troy, AL family went to the hospital around trying to find where they had taken him. The prayers went out but he was gone before the family was told anything. On Monday morning, the daughter called Mom and Dad to report the news. Going through the trial was like losing him all over again. So hard for Bessie – but her faith never wavered, she praised her Jesus thru it all, trusted him and reminded everyone that she would see him again. Wow, Bessie – so strong, full of courage, renewed strength daily. How skillful her life had been all along then walk she had in Jesus.

When the New York towers fell September 11, 2001 – Bessie’s husband Bill fell to the floor crying to God, praying for the situation. He super loved this country and something broke inside him. By the beginning of March 2002, he was having heart problems and had developed a couple of blood clots, one of the clots went to the base of his skull causing a massive stroke. Two weeks later, he was gone. Now Bessie had lost both of her husbands and all three boys.

Bessie ran the race, she stayed the course, she worked thru all her battles and I believe she’s sitting at the feet of Jesus, basking in the light of his wonderful love, singing his praises with her beloved three boys in her lap, William Brooks and Hollis Cook looking on. She has no pain, the arthritis is healed, no more heartache, her tears are washed away. Her singing voice is back – she and Bill are singing I’m a soldier for Jesus and Gathering Flowers for the Master’s Bouquet. She has perfect hearing in this new body, her hands are normal, her pain is abolished, no more darkness for Jesus outshines everything – He is the light.

Thank you to all the pallbearers: Kenny Brooks, Keith Brooks. Larry Brooks Jr., Michael Cook, Michael Cook, Jr., Kyle Brooks.

Honorary pallbearers: Clayton Hollis Moore, Larry Brooks, Sr., Andy Manning.

A Visitation for Bessie will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Ensley Church of the Nazarene, 8300 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32534. Funeral Service will follow from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. With Graveside Remembrance Service from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at McCullough Cemetery, McCullough Road, McCullough, AL 36502.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EasternGateMemorial.com for the Brooks family.