Laura Jean Brooks

Laura Jean Swan Tliford Brooks was born on April 13, 1943, as the eldest of four children born to Aubrey and Estelle Swan in Madill, Oklahoma. Laura was preceded in death by both parents and her stepfather, Elder Robert Christopher "Professor," former Pastor of Macedonia of Enid, Oklahoma. On August 21, 1968, Laura married Walter J. Tilford, and to this union was born one loving daughter, Leiestra Rene Tilford-Henson (affectionately known as Pie), of Las Vegas, NV. Later in life, she and married Thomas Brooks Sr. "Love". She was lovingly embraced his seven children: Eric, Millicent, Sonia, Carla, Thomas Jr, Christopher, and Rhonda.

Laura received a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economic Education from Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK. Additionally, she received her Master of Education from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

Her remarkable teaching career began with her move to Phoenix from Oklahoma. Rev. Dr. George Benjamin Brooks Sr. hired her in her first teaching job as an educator at the Phoenix Head Start. Her teaching career spanned over 38 years and retired in May 2004 from Roosevelt School District. No 66.

Laura accepted Christ as a young person and was a member of the First Church of God in Christ in Oklahoma. She later became a faithful member of the First Pentecostal Church under the current leadership of Suffragan Bishop David Eddings in Phoenix, AZ. In Las Vegas, he attended Mountaintop Faith Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Clinton and Dr. Mary L. House of Las Vegas, NV.

In an act of love, Laura relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in August of 2014 to care for her special, smart, princess and only grandchild, Aaliyah Laura Henson. Laura was tremendously proud of introducing Aaliyah to the love of learning by teaching her over 100 fluently spoken words by age 2. She also read over 1,000 documented books to Aaliyah by the age of 5. With the blessing and support of her grandmother, Aaleiyah (age 9) has been awarded the Principal's Pride Award for straight A's every quarter for four years.

Laura Brooks also leaves to cherish her memories, her only child, who is referred to by her as "Special, Smart, Pretty Pie," Mrs. Leiestra Rene Tilford-Henson, and her Son-in-Law, referred to by her as "Sugar Lump," Preston Lamar Henson. Her surviving family includes one brother, William Kenneth Swan of Warner Robbins, GA, Her nices: Shuri Rand (William) of Montezuma, GA, Rhonda Swan-Joyner of VA, Lynette Swan of Ok, Carlene Driver of OK, Robin Driver of OK, THeresa Barnes of OK, Wendy Barnes of VA, Stephanie Barnes of VA of Niecy, Attorney, Soror, Missionary Delangel "Angie" Christopher of OK. Her nephews Lance Driver of OK, William (Harmony) Swan of CO, Ahmad (Ouise) of CO, Rudy Barnes of OK, and one great-great nephew, Logen Vanderpool-Driver. As well as, all the current sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and a host of family and friends that loved her dearly.