Donald Louis Brooks Sr.

Donald L. Brooks, Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on March 8, 2023, in Hattiesburg, MS. He was born on August 21, 1934 in Birmingham, AL to the parents of Faye D. and Joseph M. Brooks, Sr. He attended Auburn University and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1953 and went into the United States Army Reserves in 1956 where he proudly served for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife Peggy Brooks as well as his four children Bonnie B. McNeely, Deborah Brooks, Donald L. Brooks, Jr (Cindy), and Scott Brooks (Rebecca). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Daniel and Jarrod Chappell, Ashley McNeely, Stephany and Samantha Brooks, Courtney (Brooks) Barfield, Rachel (Brooks) Maurer, Elizabeth (Brooks) Pate, Madeleine and Levi Brooks. He was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren: Evelyn Chappell, Shay McNeely, Faye, Evelyn, and Deaton Schulman Brooks, Baker and Sophie Maurer.

He was proud to have served on both the Mountain Brook and Atlanta Police Departments before he settled into a 30+ year career in teaching, the majority of those years at Minor High School. He was a kind and Godly man and always there for his students. When he retired from teaching, he bought the Auburn Grille where he maintained the standard set by the previous owners. After selling the Grille, he then began his career in animal rescue. He fed and cared for 100 animals at any given point. He loved his animals as he did his children, with all he had.

Don loved his Savior, family, his country and everything Auburn, most especially football, which he passed on to his children. He had a broad and insatiable sense of humor and anyone who spent anytime with him at all was aware of it. He sang at Fairview United Methodist in the Fair Park area of Birmingham for many years. He would also share that gift with the resident of Hanover House nursing facility. The residents there loved him, but that was easy to do. He was loved by all who knew him, and he is already greatly missed.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 10-11 am. A graveside service will follow at 11 at Birmingham's historic Elmwood Cemetery in block 35. Those attending the graveside service are encouraged to meet at the chapel to proceed to the cemetery.