OBITUARIES: In Memory
Anna Frances Murphy Brooks, age 87, of Armuchee, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
Frances was born on the old Battle Farm Road in Rome, Georgia, June 23, 1934, daughter of the late Jeptha and Georgia Marie Murphy. Frances was preceded in death by her brothers, Grady, Allen, Arthur, Clarence, and Harris Murphy, all of Rome, and William Murphy of Atlanta. She is also preceded in death by sisters, Mattie Lou Adams, Margaret Caldwell, Gertrude Hampton, and Gracie Hovers, all of Rome, Georgia, and by a granddaughter, Bailee Elizabeth McClellan. Frances graduated from Rome Senior High School in 1953. She began working at age 15 at Kress 5 & 10 store, then Gene Floyd 5RR¿QJ &RPSDQ\ DQG WKH Dock Restaurant, all in Rome, prior to moving to Atlanta to work as a long-distance phone operator.
In 1956, Frances married the love of her life, Davis Brooks. Shortly after, Davis was drafted into the Army and the couple moved on to the Army base in San Antonio, Texas. In 1958, )UDQFHV JDYH ELUWK WR KHU ¿UVW child and began a lifelong career as a full-time homemaker to a husband, and eventually, a family of 5 children.
Frances loved growing ÀRZHUV DQG WKHUH ZHUH IHZ she did not have. She also had a deep love for country music and dancing, which she and Davis continued as long as her health permitted. Her world revolved around her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Davis; her son, Timothy Brooks (Jeanine) of Silver Creek; her daughters, Debra Brooks-McDaniel, Rome, Jennifer Brooks-McClellan (Brian) of Armuchee, Angela Mashburn (Doug) of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Rhonda Brooks of Armuchee. She is also survived by a sister, Martha Clemons (Jerry) of Centre, Alabama; seven grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens, Rome, Georgia, with Pastor Chris +HDUQH RI¿FLDWLQJ
The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 12:00pm until 1:00pm.
Mrs. Brooks’ grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
The family would also like to thank her caregiver, Beverly Brooks. “You made our mom’s life better and for that we are eternally grateful.”
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements. sawmiller and worked very hard throughout his life. He was a faithful member of Community Chapel Baptist Church. John enjoyed gardening, working on things, traveling, playing cards and staying active. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and volunteering any time that they could. John was very giving and always wanted to help others. A native of Rome and Floyd County, John was born March 16, 1930 in Forsyth, GA. He was born to the late John Douglas Hawkins, Sr and Ruth Brock Hawkins. John was active in S.O.W.E.R.S. Ministry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Bobbeth Hawkins. John is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Al Erkhart, and Ruthie and Tony Robinson; one son, John “Doug” Hawkins; four grandchildren, Beth (Ray) Campbell, Tim (Priscilla) Erkhart, Gary (Shanci) Robinson, and Jennifer (Jeff) Simpson. Six great-grandchildren; his wife’s siblings, brother and sister-in-law, Robert “Bub” and Rosella 6WURRS DQG ¿YH VLVWHU DQG brothers-in-law, Amelia Jones., Mary Sue Gilleland, Alice and Mack Rodgers, Sara and Mike Oldham, and Vickie Stroop, and a host of nieces and nephews also survive. There will be a Gathering of Friends on Monday, May 2, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Salmon Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place on Monday, May 2, 2022 immediately following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. from the Salmon Funeral Home Chapel. A private burial will follow at Oaknoll Memorial *DUGHQV ,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV the family requests memorial contributions be made in John’s honor to either S.O.W.E.R.S. Ministry, 14771 County Road 424, Lindale, TX, 75771, or the Salvation Army of Rome, 317 E 1st Ave, Rome, GA 30161. The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Douglas Hawkins, Jr. for students at Eddy Junior High that John discovered his love of growing things. He moved to Rome, built greenhouses, and became John the Plant Man. After a stint selling hardware, John returned to the world of plants and landscape design. Forty years of creating tranquil spaces culminated in his Meditation Garden at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, the Clocktower Garden “As Time Goes By” and the riverbed bridge installation at the Labyrinth.
Ever the optimist, John turned his life experiences into inspiration via his books (Requiem for a Redneck, Redemption for a Redneck, and Sweetie Drives on Chemo Days). He and Dekie co-wrote a fourth book, The Basics of Pruning. He lifted countless hearts with his daily online pandemic posts. He was proud of his decades of sobriety, and loved his occupation so much that he quoted, “never worked, never will.” He reassured us daily: “Everything is going to be all right.”
Memorial service arrangements are pending. Donations may be made to the Jane B. Schulz Scholarship Fund, 401 H.F. Robinson Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723, or online http://give.wcu.edu/ schulz.