Obituary

Colleen Brooks

In The Beginning
Colleen Ward Brooks born January 21, 1930, in Wichita Kansas 2nd child of 7 children. At the start of her life, she was given away at 9 months to her mother Laura Scott Love (Momma Babe) In Boynton OK. Ms. Babe officially adopted Colleen at the age of 14. As a child she wanted to call Laura momma, but Laura insisted that Colleen biological, mother would come back for her. Colleen called her MS Babe. Colleen never knew her birthmother or biological father Otis Ward. Colleen had a happy childhood she was raised with another sibling as a sister Fernia Harris {IQ}. Colleen loved for MS Babe was a strong bond of mother and daughter relationship since MS Babe did not have any children of her own till Colleen came into her life.

Life In Boynton
Colleen was raised in small town of Boynton Ok by Momma Babe and her brother Jack Scott. While growing up in the small-town Momma Babe was able to keep track of Colleen siblings so she would be able to know her sisters and brothers. Patricia Lee Watson, Wichita KS: Carlyle Richardson (Loise) Flint Michigan; Robert Lavow (Yuki) Vallejo Calif; Elmer Thompson (George Ella) Tulsa OK, Carol Ann Dotson Wichita KS and Betty Cotton Wichita KS. Colleen attended Boynton High school with her brother Carlyle which she was very close to while growing up. Colleen graduated class of 1949 as the class treasure. Colleen grew up during “the great depression” and era of segregation separate schools and eating establishment for colored folks. During the hard times Colleen would save “S&H stamps and catalog shop and periodically travel to Muskogee to shop. Momma Babe provide Colleen with a good life and happy childhood even thou they were dirt poor.

Marriage, Family and Career
While attending school in Boynton Colleen met the love of her life James Mayo Brooks. He would court her with sticks of gum. They became high school sweethearts. They were married June 21, 1949, at Uganda Martha Catholic Church in Okmulgee Ok. Colleen and Mayo resided in Long Tree MT Community on the farm. Of this union they had three children James Mason (Margaret)Pensacola Florida, Ethel LaDetra Tulsa OK, Sharon Fay Vallejo CA. Colleen learned how to cook from her mother-in-law Espize and sister-in-law’s. After 8 years of farm life, they moved to Tulsa OK January 1958. To provide extra income for the family Colleen started housekeeping. During this time Colleen learned to drive and would provide transportation (carpool) for other housekeepers. Colleen felt education was important to advance her career, she went back to school for CNA license where she worked at various hospitals. She was a department head at Dillard’s overseeing the Fabric Department. While working for Dillard she would make outfits for display. Colleen was outstanding seamstress, and everyone would come to her for alterations or create outfits for their daughters. Colleen changed job and became a supervisor for St John Child Development Center where she worked until retirement after 24 years of service. After retirement Colleen began to make her famous cakes, cobblers and pies for Elmer BBQ B Bad owned by her brother. During this time, they became very close since they were not raised together in same household. She was known as the “Pie Lady”.
Colleen enjoyed traveling to visit family and spending time with her grandkids, Erica, Jamesa and Jacinta until they moved to Florida. She loved taking them to yard sales. She was able to take her granddaughters on several vacations across the US.

Volunteer Work
Colleen was active with Ladies Auxiliary hosting teas or fund raising for St Augustine Church. Colleen was a member of Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court # 237 Father John Strmiska which she worked with the junior daughters. Colleen worked tireless hours cooking for funerals and raising monies for various church funds and cooking for family event. Worked for meal on wheels, Feeding the homeless.

Later Years
She stilled visited Okmulgee and Boynton several times a year to come back to her roots. On Decoration Day (Memorial Weekend) we decorated 20 gravesites from Southwest to Lee Cemetery. While at Lee Cemetery Colleen would tell the story as a child that Ms. Babe and the family would pack a picnic basket and load the red wagon with food and fresh flowers and walk the 3 miles to Lee Cemetery early in the morning to spend the whole day at the cemetery and have a picnic and visit with the town people,
Colleen is preceded in death her mother Laura Mae Scott Love, Sister’s Patricia, Carol Ann, Betty and Fernia, her brothers Carlyle, Robert (Bobby), Elmer, great grandson Oshay Walker and daughter -in-law Margaret Elizabeth.
Colleen is survived by her husband James Mayo Brooks of 73 year. Son James Mason Brooks, daughter Ethel and Sharon Brooks. Eight Grandkids – Trina Brooks Vallejo CA, Erica Curl (Kenneth (D)) Pensacola Fl, Jamesa Brooks Atlanta Ga, Toyia Brooks (Anthony) San Francisco CA, Jacinta Brooks Atlanta GA Jelani Handy (Janice) San Pablo CA, Jahmila Parris Vallejo CA and Jahmal Parris San Francisco CA. Twenty-Two Great Grandkids- Parrish Palmer, Kenneth Curl Jr, Kemore Curl, Jayland Benjamin (Raja), Jaydis Coward, Anthony Taylor, JaKobe Handy, Jordynn Handy, Lylande Andrew, Trae Harris, Shakari Brooks, Dion Daniels, Diondre Daniels, Javon Whorton, Jahvona Whorton, Domico Craft, Sierra Walker, Anthony Fletcher Jr., Samira Parris, Nasira Parris, Jesus Sanchez and Sheriaya Hicks. Great Great Grandkids –_Zuri Benjamin, Zoey Benjamin, Marquez Craft and Adonis Oshay Daniels, Sister-in-law Yuki Lavow, Best friends and family John and Sharon Thierry, Shirley Hayden, Godson Ben Thierry (Katie). Co- caregiver Zolla Brooks and support team Gaynell McCurn, Shirly Hopgood, Wyvonne Harris, Host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 1PM-8PM, at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer, 2103 E. 3rd Street., Tulsa, Ok. A rosary service will be taking place the same day at 4PM, also at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer.

A funeral service for Colleen will be held at Saint Augustine Church at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Saint Augustine Church: 1720 E. Apache, Tulsa, OK 74110