Mattie M. Brooks

A native of Minden and a longtime resident of Baton Rouge whose generosity, kindness and strength of character still linger, left this Earth Monday, March 24, 2008. She is survived by a brother, Albert Talon, of Minden. She leaves her indelible imprint on the lives of her children: daughter, Judy Fazio; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Ozzie Thornhill; son and daughter-in-law, Roy and Christine Brooks; and her grandchildren, Tommy Fazio, Sally Fazio Kidd, Sindey Chaky and Angie Bell; great-grandchildren, Craig Fazio, Tracy Fazio, Elise Chaky, Michele Chaky, Hagan Bell, Brynnan Bell and Camrynn Bell; great-great-grandchildren, Jackson Fazio and Kathrynn Fazio; special friend, Bill Halfacre; and numerous nieces and nephews. All loved her dearly and will cherish her always. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hartwell Brooks; parents, George A. and Nancy Cole Talton; three sisters and six brothers. Mattie Mildred always had a big smile and an easy laugh. She loved and enjoyed children. As manager of Little Folks Toy Store, she spent years helping make children's wishes come true. She was a talented gardener who could "turn around" any dying plant. Her yard was a colorful landscape filled with beautiful flowers and she loved to spend hours outside tending her flowerbeds and feeding the squirrels and birds, especially red birds. Mattie Mildred also loved to cook and could whip up a fabulous dinner in no time. She was famous for her homemade biscuits and chocolate pie. Mattie's dedicated grandson-in-law, Joel Chaky, was ever present, offering assistance of every kind, from cooking her favorite mashed potatoes to carrying her. Her extended family also includes granddaughter-in-law, Tammie Fazio; and great-granddaughter-in-law, Leigh Ann Fazio. The family would like to extend special thanks to Chandra Riley, Dell Wright and Laura Carter and Generations Hospice for their kind care during this lengthy illness. Graveside service at Greenoaks Memorial Park on Tuesday, March 25, was at 2 p.m. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St.