Dr. Joseph R. Brooks

AIKEN - Dr. Joseph Russell Brooks, age 81, of Aiken, South Carolina, died peacefully of pancreatic cancer Friday, September 28, 2012, at University Hospital. Born August 18, 1931, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Brown Wilson Brooks and the late Grace Allen Brooks. He was preceded in death by his brother, Allen Brooks and sister, Betty Brooks Helms. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Fern Shrader Brooks along with their three children: Elizabeth Grant Brooks and her partner, Tina Campbell of Tacoma, WA, Joseph Mark Brooks and his wife, Susan Baynes Brooks of Suwanee, GA, and Jane Shrader Brooks Rosser, and her husband, Michael J. Rosser of Marietta, GA. He and Fern had five grandchildren; Kathleen Grace Brooks, Cara Elizabeth Brooks, William Joseph Rosser, Michael Brooks Rosser and Elizabeth Grace Rosser. Additionally, he is survived by sisters, Alice Brooks Biggers, Sue Brooks Conner, and Shirley Brooks, of Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Brooks received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. He served two years in the Army in Frankfurt, Germany. He obtained his Masters of Education Degree from the UNC-Chapel Hill and his Doctorate in Education Degree from UNC-Greensboro. From 1953 to 1998, he dedicated his life to the education of children; from elementary through Doctoral level courses, he worked as a teacher, principal and administrator, ending his career as Superintendent of Aiken County Schools. Dr. Brooks was a member of many professional educational associations: The South Carolina, North Carolina, and American Associations of School Administrators, and Phi Delta Kappa. He was a participating member of Aiken Rotary where he served as President and sat on the Board of Directors, and for the Board of Directors of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Brooks was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Aiken where he and Fern have been members since 1987. With a strong faith, he was a faithful servant of God leading him to teach the Ernestine Law Sunday School Class, an elder of the church and Moderator of Trinity Presbytery. He was honored to serve as Commissioner to the 212th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2000 in Long Beach, California. A lifelong love of travel took him and Fern to many exciting destinations around the world, but his favorite place to travel was Edisto Island off the coast of South Carolina. There he would enjoy his time with good books, long walks on the beach, and his wonderful family watching the beautiful sunsets over the water. Taking time in his daily routine for healthy living was important to him. Many mornings were spent walking and grooming his dog, going to the gym and working the daily crossword puzzles. He greatly enjoyed spending time with and being “Daddy Joe” to his five beloved grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, South Carolina. The family will be receiving friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, South Carolina and the Aiken SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals). The family wishes to express appreciation for the overwhelming support of their church, neighbors, the community, and medical professionals through this time. Dr. Brook’s online registry may be signed at Shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Joseph R. Brooks, please visit our flower store.