Cecelia Brooks, 81, died of natural causes at home on April 19, 2020, surrounded by her husband Isaac, her children, and grandchildren in DeSoto, TX. In the final days, she talked about how blessed she was to have lived a life filled with love, joy and happiness. She talked about how much she loved her husband, children, and family, but said she was ready to go home to be with Jesus and her parents.

Cecelia was born December 31, 1938 in Oklahoma City where she was raised by her parents Queen and Jesse Landrum with her four brothers. As a child Cecelia developed many friendships that she maintained throughout her life. She graduated from Douglas High School in 1957 and not only attended the annual (yes annual) class reunions but kept in contact with her classmates throughout the year. She took classes at the University of Oklahoma and remained an OU fan. A life-long learner, after her children  started college, she took classes at Saint Louis Community College-Meramec and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, MO. She was also one of the Last Great Letter Writers, and many people looked forward to receiving her annual update letters.

Cecelia met her husband Isaac after moving to Los Angeles, CA. The couple married December 10, 1959. She worked as a Ward Clerk at Los Angeles General Hospital, and as recently as 2018 attended a staff reunion. In 1972 Chrysler transferred Isaac to Missouri, so the family relocated to Winchester, MO. Cecelia got a job working the midnight shift at Chrysler so that she could be home with her children during the day. The family joined the First Baptist Church of Chesterfield. Cecelia made it her mission to invite every friend she made to her church and whose population increased six-fold during the 20 years she attended. To say she was a Sunday School teacher to grade school children does not begin to describe her role at the church; she was a woman that once parents met, they knew their children were in safe hands. Many of the mothers became Cecelia's friends. She and Isaac went to the homes of new Christians to explain the Gospel and, along the way, many people adopted them to be their "second" parents.

When Cecelia and Isaac retired from Chrysler in 1991, they relocated to his home state of Texas, where they joined the Star of Hope Baptist Church. Cecelia was again very active in her church, using he many gifts to teach young children, serve as an usher and, in the process of meeting and welcoming all into her huge heart, became a role model to young women, and again she and Isaac were adopted as surrogate parents by men and women.

She is survived by her husband, Isaac Brooks; six children, Sharon Brooks, Kevin Brooks and his wife Patricia Brooks, Rochelle Brooks, Glenda Brooks, Angela Norris and Chandra Brooks; eleven grandchildren, Danielle Norris, Mark Norris, Mathew Norris, Cole Brooks Lyon, Kellie Hudkins and husband Robert Hudkins, Gustavo Dos Santos, Courtney Norris, Bela Brooks Lyon, Michael Norris, Maria Brooks, Daniel Brooks; and 2 great grandchildren, Emmitt Hudkins and Isla Hudkins; three brothers, Bernie, Ernie, and James Landrum; and too many people to name who adopted her as their Mother. Cecelia's brother, Wesley King (68) predeceased her in 2005.

Cecelia, or "The Doll", as her husband of 60 years calls her, lived a life filled with love because she gave so much love, that love came back to her. In her passing, we celebrate her life by remembering the kindness and compassion she showed us, her phone calls of encouragement and support, her beautiful smile and sense of humor, and those fabulous parties. Cecelia always said to give her flowers while she was alive so she could enjoy them. I am happy to say her life was filled with flowers. If you feel inclined to buy flowers, buy them for yourself to brighten up your day; that would please Cecelia.

Having spent much of her life alongside her husband teaching salvation it is fitting that she would use this final opportunity to do the same. Her wish was for a simple ceremony; a scripture, a prayer, and most importantly, for the plan of salvation to be given.

The viewing will be held Saturday, April 25, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Lewis Funeral Home, 508 E. Bowie St., Marshall, TX 75670. Followed by a 2:00 pm graveside service at Crossroads Church Cemetery, County Road 301, DeBerry, TX 75693. Latitude: 31.968599; Longitude:99.901813.