Ms. Viola M. Brooks

BROOKS, Ms. Viola M. - Age 76, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at her residence. Family hour 10:30 AM Friday, May 26, 2017 at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Elder Patrick W. Sanders Sr., Host Pastor, Elder Darryl E. Davis, presiding. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, G-5175 E. Bristol Rd., Burton, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Friday. Mrs. Brooks will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 PM-8:00 PM on Thursday. Ms. Viola (Hayes) Brooks, affectionately called Vi, the daughter of Curtis Hayes Sr. and Elsie Mae (Quinn) Hayes. The fourth child of eight children, Vi was born in Wardell, Missouri on December 13, 1940. She attended Clover Hill Baptist Church where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized. During her youth Vi enjoyed singing in the church along with her siblings in Silvertone Jr. quartet. After graduating from Central High school in Hayti, Missouri, Viola relocated to Chicago, Illinois where she subsequently married her childhood school mate, Robert Brooks, and they were subsequently married. Three children were born from this union. After 29 years, Viola retired from Fisher Body, a division of General Motors, in 2002. She was a charter member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Vi also attended Mott Community College where she studied Business. She had a passion for singing, dancing, traveling and cooking. Out of eight siblings, Vi was noted for her delicious dressing, a traditional recipe her father created. Viola leaves in God’s care two sons; Robert Bruce Brooks II (Renee), Royal Brooks (Djuana), both of Flint, MI, one daughter Victoria Brooks of Atlanta, GA and three granddaughters; Brenda Brooks, Erin Brooks and Taylor Brooks. Six sisters; Elder Gladys Scott, Loretta Williams, Pauline Johnson (Nathan) of Lansing, MI, Jewel Hayes of Aurora, IL, Gloria Porter (Percy) and one brother; Rodney Hayes (Devera) of Lansing, MI. Viola was preceded in death by her parents; Curtis Hayes Sr. and Elsie Hayes, Curtis Hayes Jr. and Thamous Surratt. We wish to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the numerous expressions of concerns, love and sympathy. We have sustained a great loss and your support has helped us immensely. We shall always be grateful to each of you. God bless you! We give a special “Thank you” to Darryl Davis, Adell Harris-Eldridge, Harold Hayes, Rodney Keyes, Gladys Scott, Eric and Lynn Williams and Aisha of Moon’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers or plants the family requests that any donations are given to a college scholarship fund for their mother's granddaughters. A go-fund- me account has been created for any donations.

Ms. Viola M. Brooks

December 13, 1940 - May 17, 2017