Blake Marie Carriker Brooks

Monroe, NC Blake Marie Carriker Brooks departed this life into the presence of God on August 31, 2010. She was surrounded by her family. Mrs. Brooks was a life-long resident of Union County. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Brooks and her parents, the late Barney S. and Minnie Hinson Carriker. Mrs. Brooks was 81 years old. She was born October 12, 1928 in the Fairview Community. Marie Brooks was a homemaker and mother. She lived a life devoted to her God, her family and her church. Marie worked a farm with her husband and raised four children. Among her greatest joys was attending the sports events of her children and grandchildren to cheer them on to victory. At home she tended a garden, reveling in the opportunity to share with her neighbors. She took great joy in meeting the needs of those around her. Her favorite gift to others was a gladiolus stem cut “just so” allowing the recipient the pleasure of the full bloom. Marie was a member of Benton’s Cross Roads Baptist Church for over sixty years where she served God and this community in the Women’s Missionary Union outreach, as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School principal and as one who cared for any and all in need. Marie filled lives with laughter. She mentored young women and gathered children under her wing. Her own grandchildren called her Granny and her “adopted” children did as well. Marie lived the scripture, “Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James l:22) Marie would say her legacy could be seen in the lives of her family. She is survived by her children, Karen Brooks Price, Anita Brooks Simpson and her husband, Richard, Stan Brooks and Nora Brooks, all of Monroe. Marie was Granny to Leslie Price, Lindsay Simpson Dorr and husband Paul, Matt Price, Kelly Simpson Simmons and husband, Jake, Ben Brooks and wife Hope, Alex Simpson and wife Krissy, and Dan Brooks and wife Kasey. Five great-grandchildren added blessing to her life: Derek Simmons, Ava Brooks, Caden Simpson, Henry Brooks and Olivia Blake Simmons. Marie is also survived by beloved sister, Colon Tucker and devoted brother, Sandy Carriker and wife Vernie Greene Carriker. Marie was preceded in death by her dear brother, Biven Carriker. The Brooks family would like to extend our deepest and most profound gratitude to the angels of House #2 of Hospice of Union County. You ladies touched our lives with love, compassion and mercy. The family will welcome friends at the home of Stan Brooks, 5501 Unionville-Brief Rd., Monroe, NC. Visitation will be held at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112 on Thursday night, September 2 from 6:00 until 8:00. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 3 at 10:00 am at Benton’s Cross Roads Baptist Church, 109 Lawyer’s Rd. East, Monroe, NC 28110. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The family request that memorials be made to the church building fund or to Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Published online on September 1, 2010 courtesy of Gordon Funeral Service, Inc. .