Vera B Brooks

Mrs. Vera B. Brooks, 91, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee went on to be with the Lord on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. She was born in Milton, Tennessee on Tuesday, September 12, 1933. Preceding her in death were her parents, Clyde Thomas and Helen Bratcher Bogle Thomas; husband, Gordon Brooks; sons, Shawn Patrick Brown and John (Kathy) Bowen; granddaughter, Nicole Leigh Rouis; grandson, Justin Brown; brother, Neal Thomas; and sister, Mary Pearl Merriman.

She is survived by her daughters, Katrina Lynn (David Scott) Kratche of Lewisville, OH and Cathy (Woody) Lester of Murfreesboro; son, Zach (Lori) Brown of Piney Flats, TN; step-daughter, Patricia (Ronald) Traglia of Huntsville, AL; sister, Florena Crump of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Christina Sorrells, Jennifer Battle, Sandie Waters, Mendy Cole, Corey (Lindsey) Brown, Andrew (Vera) Wilson, Katelyn Brown, Joshua (Ruby) Brown, and Nicholas (Rebecca) Brown; and 21 great grandchildren.

Born and raised in Rutherford County, Vera grew up in a true Tennessee fashion. Faith, farming, and family were at the core of the Thomas family's values, and faith was the cornerstone that made the farming work and kept the family together. Dairy farming has never been known for creating an easy life or much free time, but for Vera, it did create a distaste for dairy products.

Vera and her sisters were very close, and the girls all slept together growing up. They especially looked up to their mother, Helen, and how she embodied love through her actions and cooking. Nothing could cure a hurting heart better than a good hug, some mashed potatoes, and a coconut cake. Because of her parents, Vera grew up knowing what hard work and a good role model looked like, and she aimed to be the same for her future family.

Vera was very involved in the community and graduated from Lascassas High School. Her inclination toward music took her all the way to the radio station. You could tune in and hear her singing with Dolly Parton, but the day she fell in love, she decided to leave music behind and set off on her grand adventure.

An airman swept her off her feet and whisked her away from her home in Rutherford County to Athens, Greece and Sacramento Valley, California. During those adventures, Vera happily welcomed their children into their lives and worked as a hairdresser for a while. She and the airman parted ways, and after that, Vera met Mr. Gordon Brooks.

The couple settled in Huntsville, Alabama. There, Vera demonstrated perseverance, working for Parker Aerospace in the Quality Control Department, but her greatest feat was starting one big, blended family, filled with love and laughter. Vera enjoyed many good laughs, watching the kids grow, play, and prank one another. Having a pool at their house only increased her joys because it meant that her house was the destination gathering place for family and friends.

Despite her many responsibilities between work and home, Vera always made time for her faith, family, and friends. Hardworking and dedicated to her mission, she set out to be that same embodiment of love that her mother was, except she had her own special dishes. The bowl was scraped clean when she made her homemade banana pudding and chocolate pudding. Her mixing it up must have been the secret ingredient for that extra dash of sweetness.

Throughout her life she attracted people of all ages to her. Her love was patient and kind. She did not envy or boast. She wasn't arrogant or rude. She did not insist on her own way, instead she fell into what everyone else was doing. She remained easy going and forgiving. She rejoiced in righteousness and truth. She bore all things, believed all things, hoped all things, and endured all things. Her love had no limits or restrictions.

When tragedy struck the family, Vera's love was put to the test. The death of her husband and son took the wind out of her sails. Through it all, Vera clung to her Lord and Savior for comfort, guidance, and strength. She kept that same work ethic and love she had known as a child, and deciding she'd had enough adventures far from home, she retired and moved back to her stomping ground in Rutherford County.

Quickly re-planting her roots, she became a member of World Outreach Church, finding kindred spirits who had the love of Christ in them and ready to share. As she grew older, the family get togethers turned into family outings, but her love for her family never failed or wavered. It only changed in how it was shown.

That especially changed when the grandchildren and great grandchildren came along. She had a unique relationship with each of them, which meant she didn't get limited to just one name. Called Memaw, Grandmother, and Grandma Vera, each one sounded all the sweeter to her ears when it came from one of the children's mouths. She was akin to the children with her vivacious spirit and desire to make friends wherever she went, and it made an impression on the kids to show selfless love to others.

Age didn't slow Vera down hardly any. Her enjoyment of the outdoors took her on many walks enjoying God's creation. She also believed in tending to her slice of Eden. Vera did anything from maintenance to beautification of her yard, keeping a manicured lawn and landscaping. This wasn’t anything new to her kids. Back in Alabama, she had gone as far as to put down sod in the yard to make sure it was pristine. That was the one piece of hard work she didn't want anyone else doing for her because she knew how to do it and exactly how she wanted it done.

Just a few months shy of her 92nd birthday, Vera still managed to make everyone feel like her life was too short, but her impact was immeasurable. Most people who make it into their 80s and 90s start outliving all their friends and wonder why God has left them here so long, but Vera still had countless friends that adored her and new ones being made each and every day. She didn't lose sight of her mission or her passion. The family is at peace with her dying on Good Friday because she instilled in each of them the hope that the best is yet to come.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 12-1 pm. Graveside services will follow Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1 pm at Riverside Cemetery. In the case of rain, the family will hold the funeral service in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Bob Bush will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alive Hospice.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story