Essie C. "Mema" Brooks

Essie Catherine (Taylor) Brooks, 95, Lebanon, IL, died peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Essie was born April 25, 1930, To Charles A. and Louisa E. (Wink) Taylor, of Greater London, England.

As a teenager, she developed her quick wit, tenacity, and “street smarts” in the mean London streets during the constant bombing of the city during WW2. She married her husband William in 1955 and moved to New York shortly after. She had been a Lebanon resident since 1977 and enjoyed gardening and playing bingo.

She is survived by her sister, Sadie Dobies, of Boca Rotan, Florida; Children, Ted Fry, near London, England, Steven A. Brooks, of San Antonio, Texas, Grandchildren, Taheim Brooks, Trisha Fry, Sam Fry, Ishiemah Baker, Rajahi Brooks, Kaleeb Fulp, Medina Fulp, and Malik Brooks. There are numerous great grandchildren and one great- great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, William S. Brooks II, and her daughter Michele L. Jones.

Visitation: Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 09:30 AM to 11:00 AM, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, Illinois

Funeral Service: Saturday, January 10, 2026, 11:00 AM, at Meredith Funeral Home, Lebanon, Illinois

Interment: Monday, January 12, 2026, 10:00 AM, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, Illinois