Martha Ann Keeling Brooks

Martha Ann Keeling Brooks, 86, of Abernathy Laurels in Newton, died peacefully Saturday, July 29, 2017 in the arms of her husband of 63 years, Clayton Brooks, Jr. and their loyal rescue greyhound, Mrs. B-2 by her side.

Marty was born in Paintsville, KY, daughter of the late Lee C. Keeling and Beulah Faye Painter Keeling. Raised in Kentucky and Dunbar, West Virginia, she graduated from Dunbar High School. As a lifelong learner, she attended college at Marshall University and College of Charleston but graduated from the University of New Orleans with Honors and a BA. in Political Science. She loved election years, honest politicians, and the right to vote. She served on the credential committee at the National Republican Convention in New Orleans. Marty was also very interested in journalism; she enjoyed watching NBC and PBS evening news and reading the big city newspapers. Always the fan of a good giggle, she was an early viewer of Saturday Night Live and David Letterman comedy shows. You might say Marty was a current events junkie.

Marty met her husband Clayton while working the Insurance Department of Union Carbide in Paducah, KY. When the company moved the family to Luling, LA, Marty planted her feet firmly on the ground. Her dedication to the public school system of St. Charles Parish, the First Presbyterian Church of Luling and the Willowdale County Club neighborhood sustained her for nearly 27 years while raising two daughters. Eventually, the company moved the family back to Charleston, WV. The Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, the Lower Donnally Road neighbors and the Union Carbide coworkers kept her involved in the Charleston community.

Marty’s final relocation to Conover, NC was momentous for a glorious retirement. She was involved in activities at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, the Shuford YMCA water aerobic classes, and being the best cheerleader and role model for sweet granddaughters and great-granddaughters.

She will be remembered most of all for facing all of life’s challenges with a positive attitude, a genuine smile, and never complaining. Her astute advice, elegant seamstress skills, love of back porches with flowers, discrete praise for others, an active life and steadfast faith are the qualities most treasured and will remain everlasting to her family.

Marty is survived by her husband, Basiel Clayton Brook, Jr.; daughters, Beth Brooks Hebert and husband, Lynn of Basile, LA, and Dr. Amy Brooks of Morganton, NC; granddaughters, Susan Hebert Bellon of Basile, LA, and Emma Brooks of Morganton, NC; great-granddaughters, Abigail and Brooklyn Bellon of Basile, LA; brother, Edward Lee Keeling and wife, Jane of Petersburg, WV.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 3:00 p.m, on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Newton, NC, with Rev. Connie Button officiating. Emma Brooks will play the violin and piano. The family will receive friends following the service.

Condolences may be sent to the Brooks family at www.drumfh-conover.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association Inc., 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA, 30047, or any Dementia Association of your choice.

The Brooks family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.