Janie Margaret Williams Brooks was born 23 September 1934 in Williamsburg County, South Carolina to the late Grant and Lessie Catherine McCrea Williams. She was the third of ten children born to the couple. She grew up in a farming community and moved to Ringgold, VA in 1954 where she met her late husband James Bernard Brooks. Margaret worked as a housekeeper, in the tobacco factories, and for over 20 years in Dan River Mills. In 1985 she received the title of "Navy Mom" and would share her daughter with the U.S. Navy for the next 28 years. When Dan River Mills was bought out, she took the opportunity to pursue her GED and went on to complete a Nursing Assistant's program through Danville Community College in 1994. From that point until 2010 she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant with Commonwealth Home Nursing Program. Margaret was an avid gardener, loved working outdoors, (could put a man to shame with a weed whacker even in her late 70's and was nick named by Rickie as "Jungle Janie"). She was a devoted Big Sister, mentoring young girls in the Big Brothers and Sisters Program of Danville; a fund raiser for the American Heart Association, and founded SWAP (Saints With a Purpose), an organization designed to help Christians achieve the purpose they had been created for. She also loved reading, crossword puzzles and Sunday school. While housework was not her "thing", she was known for her Hummingbird cakes, and would always indulge her nieces and nephew anytime they asked with a cake and a pot of chittilin's. In addition to her commitment to a multitude of community service organizations, she was actively involved in her home church, White Rock Missionary Baptist Church of Mountain Hill. She served over the years in multiple capacities, including Sunday School teacher, usher, and missionary board member and president, and always volunteered to transport both children and the elderly to church. She enjoyed travelling and over the years traveled throughout the United States as well as to Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, and Europe. In 2011 due to failing health, Margaret reluctantly moved to Jacksonville, NC to live with her daughter, but Danville would always be "home" for her. Margaret was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas Jessie Williams and Ernest Williams, and two sisters, Mary Evelyn Fulmore and Alberta Smith. She is survived by her daughter Marilyn Marie Brooks of Rose Hill, NC, five sisters: Maude Esther Davis of Newark, NJ, Donna Lee Graham of Savannah, GA; Virginia Lewers Lattimore of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Alice L. Seward of Andrews, SC and Catherine Ann McClary of Rochester, NY; grand-niece Brittanie M. West and great grand-niece Arianna M. West of the home. She also leaves three very special people, one "son" and nephew, Rickie Leon King, and one "daughter" and niece, Trina Dawn King Plue; best friend Ms. Gertrude Fallen, as well as a host of relatives and friends. During her 4 years of failing health, she never forgot to be grateful and was always saying "thank you" to whoever helped her with anything. Even on her sick bed she could be heard glorifying Jesus and proclaiming how great He is and ministering to the nursing home staff. Always the traveler and adventurer, on Wednesday evening, November 25th 2015 Margaret heard the voice of her Heavenly Father inviting her to come and go with Him to His house. She accepted the invitation and now enjoys being forever in His presence. Let us be comforted with the truth that nothing on this earth can compare to her life eternal with Christ Jesus her Savior and Lord. Life Celebration for Janie Margaret Williams Brooks Arrival 23 September 1934 Departure 25 November 2015 The purpose of this service is to honor the memory of Margaret Brooks and to glorify Jesus Christ. Friday, 4 December 2015 11 AM Swicegood Barker Chapel Church 564 West Main Street Danville, Virginia 24541 Reverend Dr. Curtis J. Strader, Sr. Eulogist A Service of Hope Valley Hawkins Clinton NC