Myrene Ruth (Smith) Brooks
was born in Lula, Oklahoma on October 2, 1929.
She came to California while still in her teens with her family who was
seeking a better life. They settled in the San Joaquin Valley, and it wasn’t
long until she met George Neal Brooks. George or “Junior” as he was called had
just returned from fighting in the Pacific Theater in World War II. They were
married in a simple ceremony in the preacher’s home; Myrene was just 17, and
Junior was 24. She and Junior had three
children, two sons and a daughter, George, Boyd and Carol. Myrene was a loving
mother who remained devoted to her children and always made their home a place
her children loved and enjoyed. Myrene
knew southern hospitality from her roots and shared it not only with her family
but also with her many friends.
Junior and Myrene
farmed, tried their hand at working a dairy and eventually started a trucking
business, and that was something they both enjoyed along with the whole family.
They started out in the hay business where
Myrene drove the hay trucks while Junior and the boys loaded the hay and young
Carol would wake up next to her on the bench seat in the early morning hours. They eventually started a rock and sand business,
and Myrene drove 18 wheelers alongside Junior and was the dispatcher for their
company.
When Sundays came
they were always involved in their church.
Myrene taught Sunday school for years and was faithfully involved
working in Women’s Ministries, always helping out in the kitchen and on the
decorating crew. Myrene and Junior
handed their faith down to their children, setting a godly example for them to
follow.
When Junior and Myrene
retired, they developed a subdivision with 1 1/2 acre lots, and Myrene designed
their home and outdid herself. She had a knack for design and said she missed
her calling of designing homes. They
enjoyed their friends, family, church and did some traveling. Myrene really
enjoyed helping her daughter, Carol, with flower arrangements and doing
decorating projects and special meals.
Myrene knew the pain
of loss in her life from start to finish. She lost her mother when she was only
14 months old. As a result, she formed a very close
relationship with her sister, Jean, and they were the best of friends until she
lost her a few years ago. Myrene lost one grandson, Rodney Brooks and her
oldest son, George. Last year she lost her husband of 68 years; these were
devastating losses for her which seemed to tear away part of her heart.
The past year has
been especially difficult for Myrene because of her failing health. The loss
and pain caused her to talk constantly about heaven. She looked forward to
going and being with Jesus and her loved ones who were already there. Her
greatest desire was to see Jesus and be reunited with her Sweetheart of 68
years. On Monday, August 8, she got her
wish and made her journey to her heavenly home where she is pain free, happier
than ever, youthful, holding hands with her sweetheart, and rejoicing at the
feet of Jesus.
She is survived by a
daughter-in-law, Janet Brooks of Hanford; one son, Boyd, and his wife Marilyn
of St. Louis, Missouri; and daughter, Carol, and her husband Mike Evans of
Hanford. She is survived by six grandchildren, Jeff Brooks, Carin Ray, Eric
Brooks, Andy Brooks, Ryan Brooks, and Kyle Evans. She is also survived by 12
great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a host
of friends and family to mourn her passing.
