Lester Curtis Brooks

Lester Curtis Brooks, age 89 of North East, Maryland, died on Saturday, June 16th, at Calvert Manor Nursing Home where had had been a patient since June 12th after being cared for at home by his daughters for the past three years. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lula McMillan Brooks of North East, MD; two daughters Carol Joan Patchin and husband Al, and Betty Lou Peirson and husband Sam, all of North East, MD; five grandchildren, Jill Chapin and husband Randy of North East, MD; Rebecca Stecher and husband Michael of Chesapeake City, MD; Cynthia Weatherington of North East, MD; Amy Hash and husband John of North East, MD; and Ryan Ashbridge of North East, MD; twelve great-grandchildren-Sarah Deaner, Grace Weatherington, Nicholas Graham, Luke Weatherington, Emily Hash, Joshua Patchin, Michael Stecher, Jr., Brooke Weatherington, Leah Hash, Isaac Chapin, Claire Hash and Madeline Chapin. Lester was born in Glade Valley, North Carolina, on October 10, 1917, on his oldest sister's 4th birthday. He was the first born son of the late Elder Tyra and Ida Brooks. He had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Vivia Holloway, Lawrence Brooks, Neal Brooks, Ward Brooks and Katie Wade all preceded him in death. One surviving brother is Gene Brooks of Sparta, NC. Lester is also survived by a host of cousins and many good friends in North Carolina and Maryland. Lester was drafted into the United States Army in May 1941 where he proudly served his country in the 260th Coast Artillery in Fort Bliss, Texas; 260th Anti-Aircraft Artillery in Port Orchard, Washington; and 3rd Army, 95th Division, 377th Infantry Battalion in combat in France and Germany in World War II. He was wounded December 1, 1944, in France near the Rhine River. He received the Purple Heart and several other medals. He was a lifetime member of DAV Chapter 18. He was saved in a revival meeting, joined Mountain View Church in North Carolina, and was baptized October 15, 1932, by his uncle Elder Mac Brooks and father Elder Tyra Brooks. He joined New Bridge Regular Baptist Church June 9, 1984, where he remained a faithful member as long as he was able to attend. Lester was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and delighted in his family. He also loved vegetable and flower gardening, traveling with his family and country and bluegrass music. He loved to sing and played the guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica and piano. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, June 21, 2007 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, MD. Funeral services will be Friday, June 22, 2007 at 2:00 PM at New Bridge Baptist Church, 32 Wyatt Lane, Colora, MD. Interment will follow in New Bridge Baptist Cemetery.