Mary Brooks Smith
Jan. 8, 1935 – Aug. 23, 2024
Mary Brooks Smith, lover of small children, angels, quilting, neighbors in need, the United Methodist church, frogs, flowering plants and a good haircut, died on Aug. 23.
Mary Brooks lived, worked hard and died in the same modest brick ranch house she and her husband Tom built in 1955 to raise their kids. The couple shared married life for almost 70 years before Tom died in 2022. Their kids, Verenda, Sheila and Paul, watched over their mom in her final years, and were by her side in her final days at home.
Mary Brooks was known to many in Marshall County as the hairdresser with a small shop out in the yard. She ran a full-service, one-woman operation, but her passion was haircuts, and her special skill was listening. Mary Brooks was an extrovert; she was expert at asking questions and she was at her happiest when she was hearing about the lives, trials, and triumphs of the women of her community.
Mary Brooks was raised in Oak Level by Roxie and Newt Tynes. After they sadly lost a son, N.J., at a young age, Mary Brooks grew up as the middle of three girls. Katherine (Roach), the eldest by 12 years, died in 2018. Carol (Rudd), only two years younger than Mary Brooks, lives in the greater Detroit area.
As teenagers, Mary Brooks and Carol ended up double dating Tom and J.D., two fellas who were best friends. Both of the Tynes girls were teenagers when they married their respective choices, and the two couples remained close throughout their lives.
In addition to Verenda Carol (Camire), Paul Thomas and Sheila Brooks (Levine), Mary Brooks leaves behind a grandson Eli Levine and three granddaughters: Annie Smith, Andrea Smith and Sarah Brooks (Levine) Fox. Her great grandchildren are Rowan and Ellie Brooks Fox.
Visitation will be at Colliers from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 31, with a short memorial service at 2 followed by a brief burial service at Cole Cemetery.