Margaret Demaris Goettee Brooks

Margaret Demaris Goettee Brooks, nicknamed “Mardee”, died on October 16, 2015. She was born at Telfair Hospital in Savannah on July 4, 1944 and was reared in Estill, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Margaret and Oliver Ennis Goette.

She graduated from Estill High School as Salutatorian. Mardee graduated from Converse College with a B.A. in Mathematics, Emory University with a M.Ed. in Mathematics, and Georgia State University with a Specialist Elementary Education in Mathematics. After graduating from Converse College, she moved to Atlanta and her first job was as an Assistant Research Scientist at the Nuclear Research Center at Georgia Institute of Technology. After two years working at Georgia Tech, she taught high school mathematics for a year at Cross Keys High School in the DeKalb County Schools and then went to Emory University for a master’s degree. At Emory, she met her future husband, Joseph Paschal Brooks, Jr., who was pursuing an MBA. They were married on November 24, 1973. After graduation from Emory, she joined the Research, Planning and Accountability Department of Atlanta Public Schools. She served as a director within the department for over thirty years. She was active in the following professional organizations: Atlanta Area Test Directors, National Association of Test Directors, Georgia Educational Research Association serving as president for one year, American Educational Research Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Mardee was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta for over forty years. She participated in Women’s Circle 3 and Sunday School (Spiritual Living) and served as a volunteer in the Children’s Sunday School when her children were young.

She was a life member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, the Daughters of American Revolution, High Museum of Art, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Shepherd Center, Paces Gardeners, and Ceramic Circle. She served as a volunteer at the Westminster Schools that her children attended from kindergarten through grade 12. She served on the Converse College alumni board for three years.

Mardee is survived by her husband, Joseph Paschal Brooks, Jr. CPA, senior tax partner of Brooks, McGinnis and Company. She is survived also by her children: Joseph Paschal Brooks III, his wife Susan, and daughter Judith; and Margaret Demaris Brooks Schwab, her husband Andrew James Schwab, and daughter Elizabeth. Mardee is survived by her sister Laura Goettee Livingston, her husband Dr. Wilbur Dubose (“Woody”) Livingston, and nephews, Austin Dubose Livingston (Camille) and son Pierce, Robert Ennis Livingston, and Elliott Ardrey Livingston.

The family sends special thanks to Dr. Elliott Winton, Jessica Neeley, and Sylvia Fagbemi of Emory Clinic, and Dr. Mark Litzow of Mayo Clinic for many years of care.

A Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 24 at 11 o’clock at First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA with a reception following. The family will receive friends Friday, October 23 from 5 until 8 o’clock in the evening at H. M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill, Atlanta, GA.

Interment will be held Sunday, October 25 at 3 o’clock at Lawtonville Cemetery, Estill, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Emory Clinic, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322.