Marilyn Joan Stripling Brooks was born December 26, 1943 in Bee Branch, Arkansas to Cecil L. Stripling and Eunice Moses. She passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at the age of 78. Joan was preceded in death by her father; mother; son, Todd Brooks; an infant daughter; brother, Cecil Stripling, Jr.; sister, Bessie LaNelle Stripling Zimmerman; niece, Dawn Stripling-Searson; sister-in-law, Edna Kelly Stripling; and brother-in-law, Patrick Brooks. She is survived by her husband, Donald Brooks; daughter, Jennifer O’Banon (Tim); son, Jeff Brooks (Ronda); daughter-in-law, Lisa Mancuso-Brooks; 10 grandchildren: Amanda Mancuso-Fath (Amir), Kelsey Brooks, Scott Brooks (Kirstie), Ciera Brooks (Darian), Anthony Brooks, Joseph Brooks, Faith O’Banon, Matthew O’Banon, Jackson Brooks, and Parker Brooks; 2 great-grandchildren: Gianna Fath and Luke Brooks; sister, Patsy McElroy (Leigh); brother, Danny Haiduk (Sandy); sister-in-law, Bonnie Brooks; 5 nephews: Ray Stripling (Bonnie), Kevin McElroy (Raquel), Travis McElroy, Jason Haiduk (Brandi), and James Haiduk (Bianca); 1 niece, Cassie Haiduk; and numerous extended family members and friends.
Joan was born in Arkansas, but moved to Floresville, Texas when she was 4 years old. She graduated Floresville High School in 1962. Joan was on the Peanut Festival Court one year, was a member of National Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America, worked at The Spot, had an extensive collection of 45 records, and made many lasting memories with her family and friends.
Joan grew up attending the church of Christ, being baptized in February 1958. Many Bible class teachers, song leaders, and preachers affected her spiritual walk. She taught Bible classes for many years both at Highland Hills and MacArthur Park. She hoped that, though she could not carry a tune, her children and grandchildren would love to sing. Oh how she loved to hear her family sing together! Joan encouraged each of her children to lead others in worship and was always proud of their talents. Another of her great joys in the church was the years she volunteered with Women for Medina to raise money for Medina Children’s Home. In later years, she continued to support the children’s home through Arms of Hope.
Joan was a natural-born teacher. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State College in 1965, she taught Sixth Grade in Kirby and Converse for two years. In 1967, she married Don and they moved to Burns Air Force Station, Oregon where she taught Sixth Grade for one year. Upon the birth of Todd, she took a leave from formal teaching in order to raise her family. In 1985, Joan returned to full-time teaching at Hopkins Elementary. There she taught Fourth Grade until her retirement in 2007. Throughout her life, she also served as a church bus worker, a Bible Class teacher, and a substitute teacher. She had a great influence on her students and on her co-workers. She inspired others to teach and made friendships that continued into retirement.
Joan loved spending time with her family. Trips with her sisters to the cabin at Rockport brought great joy. A get-away with good food, garage sale-ing, word puzzles, card games, and relaxing together was her idea of a perfect vacation. She and Don enjoyed traveling to see historical places, to follow a lead from Texas Monthly, and especially to see the grandkids.
Throughout her life, Joan was an avid board game, card game, and word game enthusiast. Her interests included Spades, Canasta, Farkle, Acrostics, Crosswords, Sudoku, and 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. At almost all our family gatherings, she would be actively participating in some game or another. Regardless of the game, she always had one goal: to win. She was never a sore loser, but you could always tell from her face how the game was going. The last entry on her computer was an online Spades game she had been playing. She won.
Joan loved to cook! She spent hours poring over recipes, planning meals, and cooking. When the kids were growing up and asked to go to a restaurant, Don would say, “We’re going to Joanie’s Café.” She made the best fried chicken. She always over-prepared for family and friends. She regularly baked cookies for her favorite workers at Texas Thrift and the car repair shop. She loved when her brother would bring her fresh lemons from his tree. Lemons could be added to just about anything. Although she loved experimenting with new recipes, the one thing she could never get “just right” (to her taste) was a caramel frappe. Those had to come from McDonald’s.
Perhaps our favorite memories of Joan will center around Christmas. Christmas was not just another holiday in the Brooks household. This was a major event requiring months of diligent planning. Joan would start early requesting lists from all the kids and grandkids. Lists had to include several items since there would be separate gifts in stockings, from Santa, and from Grandpa and Grandma. Every Christmas Eve, the family would gather for singing carols and church songs. The sounds of O Holy Night and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (lightbulb!) would resound throughout the house. Joan fixed a huge Christmas Eve smorgasbord to be enjoyed throughout the night while games were played. Christmas morning brought the opening of gifts. As the family grew, the joyful chaos grew! Christmas dinner was a feast, with leftovers for days. One thing lacked from Christmas: combined birthday/Christmas presents! Joan was born on December 26. Because of the proximity to December 25, one might think to give a combination gift. A certain young husband made this mistake once back in 1967. Just once. And as Todd and Jen both had December birthdays, Joan made sure no birthday gift was wrapped in Christmas paper. She wanted everyone to feel loved and have happy memories of home.
Joan loved her family and friends. Time spent together was celebrated and cherished. She will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. Everyone is invited to a meal afterward at MacArthur Park Church of Christ, 1907 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78217.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arms of Hope, 21300 State Highway 16 North, Medina, TX 78055, or to the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Brooks family.
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