Betty Brooks

BROOKS, Betty (Taylor)

Betty Taylor Brooks was a thorough woman, knowing at an early age that she needed to have a good education. She studied nursing and later served many years as a surgical nurse at Deaconess Medical Center. Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on July 10, 1922, she moved at a young age with her family to Springfield, Missouri, where her father, Charles, was an electrician. Charles and Lenna Coffer Taylor had six daughters and one son, all of whom Betty survived. She was an alumna of Springfield High School, and then graduated as a registered nurse from Burge Hospital School of Nursing. Betty married the late Jim Rockey after WWII, adding a daughter, Sheryl Ludwigson (Don), and a son, Mark, to their family. In 1967, she married the late Lowell Brooks, a Spokane physician and the father of six daughters and two sons: Barbara Bennigson (Bud), Ad Johnson, Mary Lynn Westlund, Phyllis Cavender (Terry), Kathy Johnson (Brad), Erik, Tom, and Kelly Peden (Keith). She lovingly watched over 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Betty was very active with golf, lawn bowling, vacations at local lakes and world travel. She was a talented ceramicist and enjoyed attending civic theater plays and Spokane opera and symphony performances. She was a longtime member of Knox Presbyterian Church and, later, of Plymouth Congregational Church. Throughout her 88 years, Betty was a warmhearted person, always gracious and welcoming. She also was a trusted organizer, an accomplished bridge player, and a caring mother and friend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Spokane, the American Heart Association and Smile Train. Meet with us at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at Greenwood Cemetery, where Rev. Donald Meekhoff will preside over our mother's graveside service.