Joseph Warren Brooks III

Dimondale, Michigan

Joseph was born on October 24, 1927, with mild cerebral palsy, in Uniontown, PA, to Joseph, Jr. and Margaret Brooks. He died December 14, 2015, at the age of 88.

He grew up in Montclair and Essex Fells, NJ. He became a special first-class scout (couldn’t swim) and graduated in the upper tenth of his high school class. His part-time jobs were: pharmacy stock clerk, soda fountain worker, folding boxes, NAACP volunteer, Junior Achievement worker, YMCA fundraiser, and supermarket stock clerk.

Joseph majored in business administration at Western Michigan College, 1948-1952. He also majored in accounting during night school and earned a master’s degree in library science at Western Reserve University, Cleveland. At WMC he earned a scholarship and worked a night shift as a sweeper at KVP for two years. He was employed by Eastern Greyhound Lines, Cleveland, account payable clerk, 1955-1960; Lansing Public Library, business librarian, 1962-1989. In 1965, Joseph married Emma Nette Gray Brooks and they had a son, Stephen William. She passed away in November 1994.

Joseph built the house of his dreams on a 5-acre plot in 1998, complete with 144 trees that he planted. He married Betty Walker Brooks who led him to Christ that same year. She passed away in 2009. He had a lifelong interest in the stock market and gave money to several churches for scholarship funds, and to support Betty’s three grandchildren, who received master’s degrees in marketing, special education, and law. He attended Maranatha Baptist Church, South Church, Pennway Church and the Family Worship Center.

Joseph is survived by Ruth Hester Brooks who he married in 2010; his son, Stephen William Brooks of Lansing; and a host of friends and extended family members.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2015, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. His family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

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4 Messages to “Joseph Warren Brooks III

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Ron Travis
December 16, 2015 at 8:47 pm

Joe you accomplished so much, and you truly liked people.
You’ll be missed

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Jennifer Koski
December 18, 2015 at 8:19 am

Steve, I send you my condolences. Your dad was very good to my grandma and my cousins. I commend him for that. It was always nice to spend time with you at family gatherings. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You!

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Rebecca (Hamilton) Zemko
December 18, 2015 at 10:11 am

I knew Joe when I was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church several years back. Joe was a beautiful sole who captivated everyone that he spoke to. I know you will miss him very much and I am so sorry for your loss. I never did tell Joe that one time I dreamed that he was in heaven and I saw him dancing without his cane. I know for sure that he is dancing and smiling that same big smile he always had for anyone he encountered. I pray that your memories of him comfort you at this time.

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jayana
December 21, 2015 at 5:39 pm

grandpa im so glad to see you today at your funeral im going to miss you and the heaven doors are open for you see you in heaven love your great
granddaughter

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