Wilbert Wesley Brooks was born on January 23, 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana to the parents of John T. Brooks and Adell James Brooks. He was the fifth child of seven children born to that union. This would be his first exposure to love and it laid a solid foundation for his life of LOVE.
Family was very important to Wilbert and he was a key figure and the anchor in his family. The foundation continued to be built when he met and married Dorothy Nell Gladney. She was the love of his life for more than forty years. To this union was born a son (Brad Wesley Brooks) and a daughter (LaBreda Nicole Brooks). His love flourished even more with the birth of his grandchildren (Bryson Wesley Brooks, Brayden Davon Brooks, and Karsyn Adele Gibson). He spent tireless years supporting and providing for those that he loved.
Wilbert found another love in his faith. He entered a close walk with Christ at an early age at the Growing Valley Baptist Church where he faithfully served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Finance Committee member, and personally spearheaded the expansion of the church property. He was a faithful member of the Graveyard Committee as well. He loved his church and was a deeply committed member.
Trying new things guided Wilbert to meet many friends across the community and country. He graduated from Doyline High School. He excelled as a member of the varsity basketball team. He was an AAU basketball coach for the boys and girls division, which included both his children.
His career was spent at KCS Railroad, where he retired with exemplary service after forty-one years. Unbeknownst to many, his true passion was entrepreneurship. He was a key entrepreneur in the Timber and Land Business. His last hours were spent doing what he loved…Timber Surveying.
His hobbies included watching his favorite TV channel (CNN), watching the Dallas Cowboys, trading stocks, traveling, and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family.
On Monday, November 19, 2018, Wilbert peacefully transitioned to his heavenly life. Cherishing his memory are his loving and devoted wife, Dorothy Nell Brooks; son, Brad Brooks (Ronita) Fort Worth, TX; daughter, LaBreda Gibson (Jerrell) Spring, TX; adopted daughter, Danielle White (Terry) Ruston, LA; grandchildren, Bryson Brooks, Brayden Brooks, and Karsyn Gibson; adopted grandchild, Grant White; sisters, Helen Brooks Shreveport, LA and Catherine Norton Dallas, TX; brother, Larry Brooks Minden, LA; sisters-in-law, Ora Rice (George) Minden, LA and Linda Clark Shreveport, LA; brother-in-law, Tommy Holmes San Diego, CA; oldest niece raised like a sister, Vanetta Green (Kenneth) DeSoto, TX; a nephew whom he called a son, Anthony Green of Dallas, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Mattie Washington (Bertha Jean), Dorothy Briscoe, Indree Pruitt and Thurman Brooks.
Homegoing Celebration Services for Mr. Wilbert Brooks will be held Monday, November 26, 11:00 A.M. at the Growing Valley Baptist Church with Pastor George Rice, officiating. Interment will follow at the Growing Valley BC Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 25th in the chapel of Kennon’s Mortuary from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Services are entrusted to Kennon’s Mortuary.