Pastor Joe Brooks, Jr.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Pastor Joe Brooks, Jr. of Osceola passed December 12, 2018. He was born September 11, 1931 in Wilson to the late Joe Brooks, Sr. and Elizabeth James Brooks.

He was the first born of six children, four boys and two girls.

In 1944 Pastor Brooks confessed a hope in Jesus Christ at the young age of 12 at St. John M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev D. S. Settles.

In 1960, Pastor Joe Brooks became a deacon under the leadership of Rev W. L. Lindsey and later Rev Robert L Johnson where he served faithfully in the ministry.

He later answered the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1993 under the leadership of Pastor Robert L Johnson.

He was later called to pastor the Mt. Olive M. B. Church in Evadale, AR where he served faithfully for many years. Because of his health conditions, Pastor Joe Brooks incorporated the assistance of his nephew Elder Donald Paul Brooks, to whom he is eternally grateful for his love, support and service.

Pastor Brooks was preceded in death by his father Joe Brooks, Sr., his mother Elizabeth James Brooks, 1 brother L. Z. Brooks, 2 sisters Addie Mae Anderson and Lizzie Mae Sykes, 3 sons Forrest Anthony, Stephen and Malcolm Ray, 4 daughters Doris Jean, JoAnn, Ruthie Jeannette, and Audrey Cassandra.

A God-fearing man of faith, and devoted husband and father, Joe Brooks, Jr. was not only a father to his own children. He was known as Daddy Joe, Daddy Brooks, Papa Brooks, Big Paw Paw (a name given by one of his grandsons for his great grandsons to call him) even Mr. Mama T. He was a father to the community. One of his greatest characteristics was his unconditional love for his family and everyone he met. Mr. Brooks traveled near and far with his wife Bernice singing Gospel for many years. He even wrote one of the songs they recorded. He was quite the poet, which is how he won the heart of the love of his life, Mrs. Bernice Brooks.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted and beloved wife Bernice Brooks, 3 sons Jesse Brooks (Linda) of Atlanta, GA, Sammy Nelson (Niki) of Jonesboro, Joe Brooks III of Osceola, 6 daughters Debra Brooks, Gladys Richardson (Edward), Jacqueline Love (Albert) all of Osceola, LahomaBeal (William) of Jonesboro, Shiretta Brooks of Osceola, and Varonda Williams of Huntsville, AL, 2 brothers Jesse L. Brooks (Peggy) of Indianapolis, IN and Robert Brooks (Kathy) of Little Rock, 38 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, 3 special adopted sons, Pastor Odale Jones, (Rosetta), Pastor Cleveland Cain, (Brenda), Bishop Brian Olden (Cassandra) and a host of other special adopted sons, daughters, and grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018 at Roller-Swift Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Interment will be at Whiteside Cemetery. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com