Louise Terrell Lenoir Brooks

1933 - 2015

In the early morning of May 28, 2015, Louise Terrell Lenoir Brooks went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her family will receive friends from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Sunday evening, May 31st, at Dannel Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, June 1st, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Sherman, with Dr. Mike Lawson officiating. Interment will follow immediately afterward in Akers Cemetery.

Lou was born on February 28, 1933, to Fanny Laura and Robert Lee Lenoir in Paris, Texas. Her childhood on Lenoir Plantation was idyllic; swimming in the Red River, riding horses all day with Lollie, and helping raise her little sister Lynn. She graduated from DeKalb High School in 1950.

After high school, Lou attended Baylor University where she was named Baylor Beauty her freshman year. While a student there, she met and fell in love with Samuel Palmer Brooks and they became "Baylor Sweethearts Forever."

Lou and Sam began married life on Marana Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. After 12 years in the military they settled in Dallas where they raised their three children. They joined First Baptist Church of Dallas and Lou became a very active member, serving in several capacities.

In 1980, Lou and Sam moved to Sherman. Once in Sherman, Lou was a founding member of the Sherman Preservation League, as well as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Dallas Eagle Forum. She was also very actively involved in all aspects of the Grayson County Republican Party which included her service as Precinct Chair, delegate to several state and county conventions, and coordinating festivals, events, and Lincoln Day Dinners. She was also an officer in the Republican Women's Club and she received the Eisenhower Award from the Grayson County Republican Party.

The most important things in her life, however, were her faith and her family. Lou was very involved in church life at First Baptist Church, Sherman, by serving in the AWANA program from its beginning, participating on numerous mission trips, and leading the Joy Sunday School class for nearly 20 years. She was continually motivated by her burden for the unsaved and was known for her fervent stand for the truth. There was nothing she enjoyed more than traveling around Texas with Sam, helping raise her grandchildren, and laughing with her sisters. She was a truly remarkable woman, touching the lives of many throughout her 82 years, and serving as a lasting role model for her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters, Jenny Lynn Lenoir Muil and Laura Lee (Lollie) Lenoir Cogswell. Survivors include son Robert Sims Brooks of Sherman, daughter Susan Brooks Hanson and husband Gary of Sherman, and son Duncan Palmer Brooks of Waco; her grandchildren Charlotte Bonavida and Palmer Brooks; Brooks Hanson, Walker Hanson, Terrell Spiegel, Kathryn Ellis, Samuel Hanson and Caroline Hanson; Leah Brooks, Duncan Brooks, Jr., Gray Brooks, and Claire Brooks; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are: Brooks Hanson, Palmer Brooks, Walker Hanson, Samuel Hanson, Duncan Brooks, Jr, Gray Brooks, Trey Cogswell, and Robert Cogswell.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.