James W. “Jimmy” Brooks

James W. “Jimmy” Brooks, 74, of Belleville, IL, died Monday, December 31, 2018, at Memorial Hospital, after a long illness.

Jimmy was born on May 6, 1944, to James A. Brooks and Marie Pearl Brooks, nee Burns, in Lebanon, IL. He grew up in Lebanon, and later lived in E. St. Louis.

Most of his working life, Jimmy was a custodian. In his free time, he liked watching sports, especially football and wrestling. His weekly long distant talks with his daughter, Elizabeth, always included their shared interest in sports events. Jimmy also had a great interest in Westerns, which he was raised on, and he enjoyed cowboy shows throughout his life. Family and being together with family were especially important to James. He also loved to dance and enjoyed his beer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Kevin Brooks, a sister, Cynthia Brooks, and a son, Dayne Cortez Gaines.

Jimmy is survived by his daughter: Elizabeth Martinez, Coppers Cove, TX; grandchildren: Jacqueline Boone, CO, Kristie (Angel) Figueroa, TX, Jason Boone, CO; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters: Patricia Smith, Belleville, IL, Shirley Jackson, St. Louis, Mo, Linda Humphries, Belleville, IL a brother-in-law: Stanley Humphries, and a host of nieces and nephews, friends and special friends: Howard Smith, Larry Wade, Louis Wade, Daniel Ellison, and “Bookman”, and very special friend, Lawanda Benton.

Visitation: Wednesday, January 9, 2019, from 12 noon until 1pm at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon.

Service: Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 1pm at Meridith Funeral Home.

Clergy: Rev. Denice Martin, Pastor, Jesus the Living Word Church, Lebanon.

Interment: At a later date.

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL