Russie Kathleen Brooks

Russie Kathleen Thompson Brooks, 97, of Hanahan, SC, went to be with her heavenly Father on February 19, 2019. Russie was born on November 24, 1921 in Greenville County, South Carolina to Lydia Campbell Thompson and Grover Thompson.

Russie moved early during the Depression years to Ware Shoals, SC where she attended school. She ran track, was a cheerleader, played the piano, and sang with two of her sisters in a trio at various events. She was always known as a very fiery, vivacious girl with whom everyone loved to be around. Even at age 13, she was working as she started cooking for boarders at home while her Mom and Dad worked. She was the Southern Baptist South Carolina Sword Drill winner for Bible drills and went to Alabama for the national competition. She was not only a believer but a doer of the Word of God from an early age.

When she graduated from Ware Shoals High School, she worked at Regal Textile where she did the bookwork for the plant in addition to ordering and costing material. When World War II started, she moved to Charleston with her aunt where employment was more readily available. After the war, Mr. Brooks, who worked with her, invited her to his home for dinner with his family where she met his son, Quincy Patrick Brooks Jr. He had finally returned home from serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. After a year of dating they were married.

During the first few years they lived at Folly Beach but eventually they moved to North Charleston. Russie and Quincy had three children and enjoyed camping, attending church, and going to the beach in the summer, catching crabs, fishing, and shrimping. As the children left home, she and Quincy spent a lot of time in Florida fishing and enjoying life. Russie continued her music singing in a trio.

All the tenderness and sympathy of the world; all the beauty of sacrifice and the glory of unselfish love are gathered up in this one endearing term---Mother. She had a Mother's love; a Mother's wealth of love so great the power of death cannot put out its quenchless flame.

Russie's journey of her heart was a journey driven by her love for Jesus Christ. It began the journey we call the Christian life. She invested her heart and journey with Christ in her loved ones and everyone she encountered in her life. She will be dearly missed by many, many people that she encountered. However, we can be assured that the heavenly reunion with loved ones has been wonderful and will continue as she now fellowships eternally face-to-face with God.

She is survived by two sons, Randolph Michael Brooks and his wife Debora Conner Brooks of Lexington, SC, Ronald Patrick Brooks and his wife Karen Ray Brooks of North Charleston, SC and a daughter Barbara Brooks Still and her husband William Riley Still of Hanahan, SC. Also seven grandchildren: Christine Brooks Westbrook (Thad), William Patrick Brooks (Winnie), Raymond William Brooks (Dana), Jennifer Brooks Hughes (Bill), Stephen Cecil Register, Christopher Todd Still and Brooke Still Kendrick (Chris). Sixteen great-grandchildren: Abigail Caroline Westbrook, Mary Kathleen Westbrook, Marc Conner Westbrook, Thadeous Matthew Westbrook, Randolph Hudson Brooks, William Henry Brooks, Charlotte Grace Brooks, Anna Prell Brooks, Austin Dale Brooks, Aidan Smith Brooks, Abigail Marie Hughes, Atley William Hughes, William Gray Kendrick, Benjamin Brooks Kendrick, Russie Kathleen Kendrick and John Morgan Kendrick. She is also survived by one sister, Carolyn Thompson Burns of Laurens, SC and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Lucille T. Rochelle and Elaine T. Gambrell and one brother, W. Horace Thompson.

The funeral will be held at Cooper River Baptist Church, 1059 Crawford Street, at 11:30 on Friday, February 22, 2019 preceded by a visitation period at the church from 10:00 am until time of service. Burial services will be conducted at Riverview Memorial Gardens following the church service. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., NORTHWOODS CHAPEL.

Memorial gifts should be given to Cooper River Baptist Church, 1059 Crawford Street, North Charleston, SC, 29405.