CLARA BERNICE "TOOTIE" BROOKS

Clara Bernice "Tootie" Brooks, 63, passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Dec. 30, 1946, in Kerrville, Texas, to Lloyd Lee Gray and Mildred Lucille Black Gray. Tootie was a graduate of Tivy High School, Class of 1965 and while at Tivy she played on the girl's powder puff football team. She married Leo Davis Brooks on May 6, 1967, in Kerrville. She was proud of Leo's military career in the United States Marine Corps and their travels together. When they were married, Tootie took her first trip out of the state of Texas during their honeymoon. Upon Leo's return from Japan, they moved to Pacific Grove, Calif., where he was stationed at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio. Over the next 13 years, they traveled to North Carolina, the Philippines, Guam and Washington, D.C., some they visited on more than one occasion. In between Leo's tours, Tootie went home to Kerrville to wait for his return. Tootie immersed herself in the culture of each place they lived. They finally set roots down in San Angelo in 1987. She was employed by Wal-Mart for 18 years. Many will fondly remember Tootie for her quick wit and sassy tongue. She was loved dearly by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Mildred Gray; mother-in-law Mary Watkins Smith; and nephew Aaron Gray. Survivors include her husband, Leo D. Brooks, of San Angelo; daughters Amanda Lynne Wilkinson of Hunt and Jennifer Jo O'Brien and her husband, Patrick, of Lubbock; brother Charles Lee Gray and his wife, Pat, of Kerrville; grandchildren Brooklyne Mackenzie Wilkinson of Hunt and Samantha Jane O'Brien of Lubbock; sisters-in-law Brenda Hill and her husband, Don, of California, and Elizabeth Millican and her husband, George, of Waxahachie; aunts Vivian Hughes and her husband, Joe, of Hobbs, N.M., Jerry Henderson of Ingram, Doris Corbin and her husband, Bill of Gun Barrel City, Texas, and Sue Black of Dallas, Texas; numerous nieces,nephews and cousins; and special friend Sandy Rojas and her sons, Tony and Aaron, all of San Angelo. In San Angelo, visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, in Robert Massie Funeral Home Riverside Chapel. Local service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in Robert Massie Funeral Home Riverside Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Roger Blocker. In Kerrville, visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at Grimes Funeral Chapels officiated by the Rev. Roger Blocker. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Patrick O'Brien, Elmer Gray, John Garrett, Rusty Cochran, Lynn Isham and Joe Millican. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of San Angelo. The family would like to give special thanks to the entire staff of Robert Massie Funeral Home. You are invited to send condolences at robertmassie.com.