Mary (Lester) Brooks

Mary (Lester) Brooks passed away at her home in Decatur, Georgia January 19, 2012 at the tender young age of 103. Mary was born October 30, 1908 to Lewis Pierce Lester and Mary Ann (Strickland) Lester in her grandmother's house in Brookwood, Alabama. She loved to tell stories of riding to school in a mule pulled surrey. She also loved to tell stories of her beloved brother Jimmy giving her her first shave and the cooking of their pet chicken, Crookshanks. Mrs. Brooks received her degree in Math and Physics from Wesleyan College in 1929 and she always looked forward to attending her class reunions. Mary was a life long learner and teacher, home schooling her three children while living abroad. She married her husband Cuyler on April 28, 1935 in Fort Peck, Montana, after which they traveled the globe, following his work, raising their children. They lived in Venezuela, Chili, Taiwan and Colombia to name a few, and finally settled down in Decatur, Georgia. Mary was a wonderful cook and loved to prepare meals for her family and friends, her most favorite being her father in law's barbecue and cornbread followed by lemon meringue pie. In her later years she kept her brain sharp by doing the daily word jumble and crossword puzzle with her daughter Mary. She also enjoyed attending water aerobics classes at the local YMCA & YWCA. Mary always found humor in any place possible and had a sweet infectious little laugh that spread to anyone within range. She had a kind word and a smile for everyone she met. She is survived by her three children, Cuyler Warnell (Ned) Brooks Jr, Daniel Clinton Brooks and Mary Linda (Brooks) McCarthy; three Grandchildren, Violet Mary (McCarthy) Gray, Charles Joseph McCarthy III and Joseph Frances McCarthy; and two great granddaughters, Lily Brooks Gray and Dahlia Lee Newman. She was predeceased by her brother, James Lester; her husband, Cuyler Warnell Brooks; and her son in law, Charles J. McCarthy Jr. Services will be graveside at the Forsyth City Cemetery, 11am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please make a donation in Mary's name to Compassionate Care Hospice, 5 Dunnwoody PK, Suite 118, Atlanta, GA 30338 or Trappist Caskets, 16632 Monastery Road, Peosta, IA 52068. A. S. Turner and Sons.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033