Ruth Juliet Brooks, 86, resident of Selma, passed away July 17, 2013 in Selma. Services will be held Thursday, July 25, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at Reformed Presbyterian Church officiated by Rev. Winston Williams. Burial will follow in Pineview Cemetery directed by Lewis Brothers Funeral Home.

Ruth Juliet Brooks was born February 6, 1927 in Prairie, Alabama. She was the sixth of seven children born to William Petty Brooks and Julia Kynette Brooks.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents ad siblings Henry L. Brooks, Milton K. Brooks, William P. Brooks, Sara L. Brooks Lee, Charles E. Brooks, and Christopher M. Brooks.

Ruth, as a young girl, and her family were dedicated members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. She attended Wilcox County Training School, Miller’s Ferry, Alabama, while her mother Julia served as Supervisor of the girls division of the National Youth Administration. Upon graduating from Wilcox County Training School, she attended her beloved, Hampton Institute, “Home by the Sea”, now Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. She graduated from Hampton in 1949, with a Bachelor of Science as one of the proud “49ers.” After graduating from Hampton Institute she continued to support her Alma Mater with visits, class reunion activities as well as financial support. She was a lifelong member of the Hampton University Alumni Association.

Ruth returned home to Selma in 1949 and began her teaching career with the Selma Public School System as a business teacher. Her teaching career spanned over 40 years at R.B. Hudson and Selma High School. She bestowed skills to her students in the area of keyboarding, typing, bookkeeping and other business classes. She received her Master of Science degree from Livingston University in 1976. She touched the lives of her many students even beyond that of the classroom setting. Those life lessons included self-respect, goal setting and just “doing right.” Her no nonsense and straight to the point insight are the very traits that many of her former students remember and appreciate to this day.

Ruth was a faithful member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School and Church Treasurers. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Fellowship organization and served as the Treasurer. Ruth, aside from the various official positions held in her beloved “church home

did any and all of the church work with open arms, dedication and determination. Her faith was the center of her life and she willingly shared this faith with others.

Ruth was very active in the Selma community through her many volunteer services which included serving as a dedicated Board Member of the Claude C. Brown YMCA. She also served as Board Secretary and supported the many fund raising efforts of the Brown YMCA. She made many charitable donations to organizations around the world for the betterment of those who were in need.

Ruth entered the gates of heaven, peacefully, without injury in her favorite chair on July 17, 2013.

Ruth was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother. She leaves to cherish memories a devoted daughter, Eris Juliette Brooks-Beasley (Trent), the two “apples of her eye” grandsons, Christian Alexander and Myles Jalen, all of Montgomery, Alabama; Godson, Adam F. Jordan of Decatur, Ga.; three sisters-in-laws, Mary Brook, of Los, Angeles, California, Marjorie P. Brooks of Selma, AL, and Mary L. Brooks of Durham, North Carolina; eight nieces and nephews, LeCarl Brooks (Lucille), Kynette King, William Brooks (Elaine), Raymond Brooks, Faye Clarke (Demone), Jay Lee, Marcia Brooks, Linda Burton (John), and Lynette Cromwell; first cousin, Myrtle Meadows (Arthur) of Harbor City, California. She also leaves a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends to remember her genuine love and kindness. Devoted friends and church members who will remember her fondly including, Lynne Brown, CeCi Cooper, Carrie Jones, Crandell Brown, and Bert Woodson.