Barbara Jean Brooks

Barbara Jean Brooks was born on her grandparents’ farm in Pinetops, North Carolina on December 14, 1947. She was the youngest child of Effie and Willie Brooks, Sr.  

Barbara was educated in the Edgecombe County Public School System.  She attended Bullock Middle School and she graduated from George W. Carver High School.  Barbara attended North Carolina Central in Durham, North Carolina.  She moved to Washington, DC in her early twenties where she worked for the Federal Court System. Barbara later joined the Motion Picture Department at the Library of Congress, where she worked until her retirement in 2010.  

Barbara, affectionately known as ‘Babs’ to many, had a big, beautiful smile that matched her big, beautiful heart. Barbara loved pictures; she had tons of framed photos and collages. She loved crossword puzzles, was the number one fan of Barbara Streisand, and she loved opportunities to spend time with her family and friends. Barbara enjoyed attending the Walston Family Gathering, the Hampton Jazz Festival with her aunts Ann and Kay who were more like her sisters, and Cousins’ Weekend with her girl cousins. Barbara was the favorite ‘auntie’ to children of all ages; she loved children and they loved her. It did not matter if the children were related to her or not, Barbara doted on them all.

Barbara was called home to be with our Lord on July 31, 2020. Barbara was preceded in death by her brothers, Willie Brooks, Jrand Harvey Brooks, and her parents. Barbara is survived by her nephews, Kevin (Darlene) and Bruce Brooks; her devoted sister-in-love, Patricia Brooks; two aunts, Annie Cobb and Kay Daniels; an uncle, Joe Walston Jr.; her godchildren, Joseph Daniels, Candace Cobb and Brandi Pettaway; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins – including her ‘girls’ who she treated as her little sisters, Renee, Robin and Marchetta – relatives and devoted friends.

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