Betty Jean Wheeler Brooks

Betty Jean Wheeler Brooks, age 87, a lifelong resident of Ooltewah, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014 in a local healthcare facility. She was born February 8, 1927 in Ooltewah to the late Harley and Cora Manis Wheeler.

Mrs. Brooks was a 1944 graduate of Ooltewah High School and a 1948 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a BA in Home Economics. She had taught third through sixth grades at both Ooltewah Elementary, and Bess T. Shepherd Elementary and was a member of the Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association.

She was a longtime member of Ooltewah Baptist Church.

Betty lived life to the fullest and enjoyed her family, cooking and worldwide traveling.

Her husband of 59 years, Henry Brooks, brother, John Wheeler and sister, Mildred McDonald preceded her in death.

Survivors include her three sons and daughters-in-law, John Allen (Janet) Brooks of St. Elmo; Mark Wheeler (Sallie) Brooks of Chattanooga; Phillip Henry (Gena) Brooks of Ooltewah; one brother, Jack (Nellie) Wheeler, sister-in-law Nona Wheeler all of Apison; one brother-in-law, Jimmy Brooks of Ooltewah; five grandchildren, Kelley (Bradlee) Simoneaux, Emily Brooks, Michelle (Brock) Oliver, Sarah (Philip) Deprimo, and Adam Brooks; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to her special caregivers, Mildred Rice and Amy Potter and also to Hospice of Chattanooga.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Valley View Chapel with Rev. Chris Gaither officiating. Burial will follow at Ooltewah Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chattanooga, 200 Central Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.