Brady H. Brooks, 88, of Marion, NC died Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Sunrise Rehab and Care Center surrounded by his family. He was born September 21, 1924 in Richmond County, NC to the late Tyler Bennett Brooks and Catherine White Brooks. He was the next to youngest of seven children, having graduated from High School in Aberdeen, NC. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943, having served as Radioman in the pacific during WWII. Mr. Brooks met Mary Ann Blevens in Detroit, MI in 1945, married in 1946 and relocated to Gadsden, AL where he attended the University of Alabama. While there he operated a book and gift shop, represented as a Southern Airway ticket agent. Mr. Brooks was called back into the US Navy from reserves during the Korean conflict. He was a past member & “Exhausted Rooster” US Junior Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed volunteering in the Brownie Scouts, 4H Club, Cub Scouts, and United Way. He was also a past Roundtable Commissioners of Cub Scouts for Swamp Fox District, First President of the Blue Ridge Association of Life Underwriters, Fifty-five year member and past president of Marion Lions Club, past president of NC State University Agricultural Extension Advisory Board of McDowell County. He moved to Marion, in December 1962. He was past member of the McDowell Merchants Association, McDowell County representative to Western North Carolina Development Association when Asheville Farmers Market was built. He served as Vice President of the McDowell Housing Corporation (Blue Ridge Terrace Apartments), secretary of the McDowell County Housing Authority, 33 year member and past president of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, Charter Member and past president of the McDowell County Board of Realtors, past president of Lady Marion Plaza Merchants Association. He was also a Past member of American Legion & Veterans of Foreign Wars, served 37 years as an agent for Nationwide Insurance Company, Member of First Baptist Church in Marion since 1963. He was a lifelong Democrat and was co-owner of Brooks & Broadwell Realty with Barbara Broadwell.
Surviving Mr. Brooks are his wife Mary Ann Blevins Brooks, of the home, two children; Becky Gorecki, of Marion, Mark Brooks, wife Selina of Matthews, NC, four Grandchildren; Ginger Webb, husband Ben of Marion, Jacob Gorecki, wife Shanna, of Marion, Joseph Gorecki, of Matthews, and Meredith Brooks, student at NCSU and four Great Grandchildren; Tyler Gorecki, Harper Webb, Stella Webb, and Addison Gorecki.
A Memorial service will be held Friday, December 7, 2012 at 4:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Marion with the Rev. Scott Hagaman officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the church prior to the memorial service. A private Graveside Service will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the general fund of First Baptist Church, 99 N. Main St. Marion, NC 28752 or Boys and Girls Homes of NC, 400 Flemington Dr. Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
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