Mr. Earl Brooks age 83, of Sautee Nacoochee passed away Friday November 13, 2020.

Earl, was the second oldest of the late Frank and Belle Brooks. His older brother Furman could not pronounce Robert so, Earl it was. 

Earl met his wife, Sarah Bell Chastain Brooks(d.2008) daughter of the late Barnett and Dora Mae Chastain, at Union Grove Camp Meeting in Cleveland, GA. He couldn’t believe one of the prettiest girls there liked him. They were married in 1958. He served in Germany with the US Army and upon his return. he helped build his home in Sautee. Their only child, Dennis, was born in 1963. The family lived in Nacoochee Valley thereafter. 

Earl’s father Frank was a traveling pastor. They moved to 18 houses in 20 years, across 4 states. The first five of the children were: Furman(d.2008), Robert, Albert(d.2004), Nellie, and Kenneth; thus spelling their fathers name-Frank.  Earl’s mom, Belle Dockery Brooks unfortunately passed away while giving birth to Wayne. However his first name is Earnest and along with his older sister Bulah, they were in the process of spelling Belle with their next five children. 

Earl was loved by many especially his in-laws. He was like a brother to them. He was always there to help and encourage. His many nieces and nephews always got attention from him and loved him dearly. He was known for stealing the brides after weddings and taking them away over his shoulder. His laughter and jokes were what made him special to everyone. 

After 20 years at Chicopee in Cornelia, he struck out on his own as a Certified Electrician/ handyman, not only providing home maintenance but, friendship and fellowship to so many. 

Throughout his life, he loved Sarah and his son Dennis with all his heart. Dennis and his wife Michele, who live in North Carolina, loved to visit Earl and enjoyed the mornings when he would make his big breakfast.  (I will truly miss my Sunday calls with my pop!)

In his later years, after Sarah‘s passing, he continued helping many people throughout the Valley and was considered a man with a servants heart. He developed special relationships with so many, from the hardware store in Helen to residents and staff at Sky Lake and the local community. He especially loved visiting with two grand nieces and nephews, Bentley and Blakely, whom he cherished dearly.

Earl leaves behind a legacy of love and support to all he met. There were no strangers to him, just people who he had not spoken with-yet. 

Earl loved God with all his heart and lived it out with his life.  He was always there to help get the ox out of the ditch (Luke 14) and would quote Ecclesiastes 7 that the day of your death is better than the day of your birth.  He passed peacefully knowing he loved and was loved. 

He believed that life is what you make of it and nobody can make it for you. He would always say “You are born to live and born to die, it is what you do between that counts.”

Graveside services will be held at 3:30 pm Tuesday November 17, 2020 at Nacoochee United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 12-2:30 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at barrettfh.com.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.

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