Mr. Willie B. Brooks' Obituary
To view the livestream of Mr. Brooks' Celebration of Life Funeral Service, please click HERE
Willie “Barry” Brooks, born June 7, 1942 to Daisy Lee Zackery and Jonas Green of Colhoun County, Georgia. He is survived by his devoted wife Shirley Brooks, son Timothy (LaKeshia) Brooks, beloved granddaughters Nia, Mya, and Lea Rae Brooks, sisters Inez (Clarence) King, Rockledge, FL, Joyce Jenkins, Hartford, CT, cousin/sister Louise Coleman, Hartford, CT. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Eric Andre` Brooks, and sister Jeanette Jenkins, Arlington, VA.
Barry Graduated from Monroe High School in Albany, GA. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, he was employed by Tasty Bread Company and later at Avco (Textron). He completed two years of study at the University of Tennessee Nashville. He attended and received a diploma in Auto Body and Fender Repair from Nashville Occupational Training Program (NOTP). He later was employed as an instructor at Nashville Occupational Training Program (NOTP) teaching students Auto Body and Fender Repair. After retiring as an instructor, he worked at various body shops, and later owned and operated his own shop.
After his second retirement, Barry was employed by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department as a School Crossing Guard stationed at the corner of 5th and Russell Street. Barry loved working with the children and seeing their smiling faces and warm greetings each day. Barry served as vice-president of the neighborhood association, Concerned Citizens of South Inglewood (CCSI). He was also a member of the YMCA for many years. Barry had an infectious smile that lit up a room. He loved people and they loved him back; he never met a stranger. He liked to read, joke, listen to music, sing and dance, travel, and indulge in amateur photography.
Barry leaves to cherish his memory, sisters and sisters-in-law Virginia Satterfield, Clinton, MD, Mildred Settles, Antioch, TN, Tarver L. (Thelma) Smith, Gallatin, TN, William I (Margaret) Smith, Antioch, TN, many cousins, nieces, nephews, devoted family friends Timmy Hughes, Nashville, TN, Millie Washington, Nashville, TN, and many other devoted relatives and friends.
Realizing that each tomorrow is not ours to understand and knowing that God never hurts needlessly and never wastes our pain. For every loss He sends to us is followed by rich gains. Today in our loss, our hurt, and pain, we recognize our gains in you, our friends and loved ones for your whispered prayers, and every deed of kindness have been a source of strength and comfort. We are eternally grateful. -The Family
The family of Willie Barry Brooks extend special thanks to the doctors, interns, nurses, therapists, and staff at Creekside Rehabilitation Center, Tristar Skyline Medical Center, and Veterans Administrations Hospital.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 12 noon in the chapel at Spring Hill Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends and visitors an hour prior. Burial will follow at the Nashville National Cemetery with full Military Honors.
Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been entrusted with the final care of Mr. Brooks. 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37216. (615) 865-1101. “Where Nashville Comes to Remember.”
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