Mary Virginia Brooks (1954)

BROOKS, TODD, HUNTER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/29/2020 at 08:54:08

Dexter Sentinel
1954

Mary Virginia Brooks, the daughter of Robert and Amy Todd Brooks, was born June 5, 1870, in a log cabin near Ashmore, Illinois, and died at Dubuque, Iowa, December 27, 1954

In 1902, she accompanied her father and younger brother to Dexter, Iowa, where she lived until shortly after her father’s death in 1927, when she moved to Iowa City. With the exception of a few years at Donnelson, this was her home until 1947 when she went to Redlands, California, to help in the care of her invalid sister, Mrs. William Hunter, who died September 5, 1951. She stayed on in California for a short time, then returned to Iowa to spend her few remaining years at the Bethany Home in Dubuque.

The eldest of four children, she took on herself the task of rearing her younger brothers and sister following the early death of her mother. After their marriages she continued keeping house for her father until his death, January 2, 1927. Helping in her sister’s home, keeping house for various ones of her nieces and nephews, and finally caring for her sister, in her invalidism, filled the rest of her life.

She was an active member of the Presbyterian church, serving many years as a Sunday school teacher, 20 years as secretary of the Ladies Aid, and always very interested in the work of the Missionary Society. At her death Aunt Virgie was a member of the First Presbyterian church in Iowa City.

Her life was one of cheerful, unreserved service and she was never happier than when her hands were working for someone else. Her chief regret the last few years was that because of her weakness and poor eyesight, she was unable to keep busy.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Mrs. William Hunter, and two brothers, Perry H. and Leighty Brooks. Her survivors include nine nephews, three nieces, other relatives and a host of friends.

Dr. Pollock, minister of the First Presbyterian church in Iowa City, conducted the funeral services at the Presbyterian church in Dexter, December 29, 1954, at two o’clock. Organ music was furnished by Mrs. John Shepherd of Dexter. Burial was at the Dexter cemetery. Casket bearers were Clyde Campbell, James Leighty, Morris Neal, Ned Drake, Orville Grant and John Baldwin.