Eartha Mae Brooks, 67, attended Cape Fear Community College

[Guest Nicole]

WILMINGTON — Eartha Mae Brooks, 67, beloved sister, aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt, passed away Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her family and friends.

Eartha was born March 3, 1950, in Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Jasper Brooks and Annie Griffin-Brooks.

She is survived by her sisters, Pearl Gilmore, and her husband, Clifford “Butch”, and Barbara Scoon; brother, James Brooks. She leaves to morn seven nieces and nephews, Vivian Lynch (Martin), Stephanie Levine (Marvin), Jamesetta Credell (Keith), Lydia Brooks, Dwayne Gilmore (Debra), Terray Gilmore and Stacy Adams;10 great-nieces and great-nephews, Michael Jr., Tatyana, Joshua, Alexis, Cierra, Deserae, Laura, Arianne, Dwayne Jr. and Asha; and two great-great-nephews, Michael Jr. II and Kodi.

Eartha was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived with her mother until her mother became ill. Then, they moved to New Brunswick, N.J., with EarthaÂ’s sister, Barbara, and niece, Stephanie, who took very good care of them. When both Eartha and her mother became ill, it became difficult for Barbara and Stephanie to handle them, so it was decided that Eartha would go to Wilmington and her mother stayed in New Jersey.

Eartha arrived in Wilmington Feb. 5, 2003, and hit the floor running. She had a very active life. Some of her activities were bowling, dancing in the Special Olympics, which she participated in every year, and the Arboretums plant design workshops. She also participated in activities at the Senior Center, especially playing bingo.

She attended Cape Fear Community College for five years in their Adult Developmental Disability Community Program. She utilized the pool and exercise equipment four days a week at Oleander Rehabilitation NHRMC until she became ill last year. She was always on the go, be it with her caretakers or traveling with her sister, Pearl, and brother-in-law, Cliff, to many functions over the years.

She attended the meeting services at the Masonboro Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. While there, she always had a smile and greeting for the friends who greeted her. Her had many favorite sayings. When asked, “How are you, Eartha?” She would say “I’m fine,” or they’d ask, “What do you want to eat today?” She’d reply, “hamburger, potato salad and ice cream.”

Eartha was dearly loved and well cared for by her caregivers, and she had many over the years; such as, Monica Smith, Brenda Bryant, Felicia Dowe, Latifiah King, Stephanie Lewis, Marie Devone, Shakeita Newkirk, Veronica Baker, Kam Dillon and many, many more. The family would like to commend and sincerely thank the different organizations and their employees that participated in her care, HomeCare Management Corp., Lindley Habilitation, N.C. Start, Delta Behavior, Pride in N.C., Trillium Health Resources, RHA Respite House, The Senior Health Center, the Behavior Health Unit at NHRMC and a host of others over the years.

Eartha will surely be missed by her family and friends, and as her sister Pearl said to her before she passed, when you close your eyes and then open them you will be in paradise on earth as Jehovah promised. Rev 21:4.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st St., Wilmington, with Brother Jeff Makowsky officiating.

Share online condolences with the family at coastalcremations.com.

https://portcitydaily.com/2017/10/11/obits-eartha-mae-brooks-67/