Rafus Middlebrooks

Rafus Middlebrooks, affectionately known as "Pete," was born in Covington, Georgia, on May 18, 1930, to Leroy and Cleo (Bostic) Middlebrooks. At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Atlanta, where he grew up in Dixie Hills. He attended Atlanta Public School's West Chester Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School, and at age 15, he accepted Christ while attending Simpson Road Baptist Church.

A veteran of the Korean War, Rafus served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 with Company C, 151st Engineer Aviation Battalion. His unit was responsible for critical infrastructure, including building and repairing airfields. For his service, which included over a year overseas, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge, he served five years in the Enlisted Reserve Corps.

In his professional life, Rafus worked for Campbell Coal Company (later Peavy Concrete Company) and Allied Concrete Company until his first retirement at age 70. His industrious spirit led him back to work at age 75 as a courtesy clerk for The Kroger Company, where he served for another 15 years before retiring again at 90.

Rafus married the love of his life, Leola, on May 13, 1957. Together, they raised eight children: Mack, Willie "Poochie," Beryl, Anthony, Donald, Shirley, Bernard, and Allen Middlebrooks.

A cornerstone of his community, Rafus co-founded Faithful Tabernacle Baptist Church in 1969, serving as Chairman of the Deacon Board for many decades. He was dedicated to visiting the sick and elderly, embodying a life of service. In his later years, he enjoyed fellowship at Solomon's Porch Ministries and eventually found a renewed spiritual home at Young Street Community Baptist Church. There, he served as an "Honorary Deacon" under Pastor Marques L. Fletcher, continuing his lifelong devotion to God's people.

Rafus was a man of many interests. He was a dedicated fan of the Atlanta Falcons and loved sharing vivid stories of "old Atlanta," his time in Korea, and his travels with family-including recent trips to Akron, OH, Jacksonville, FL, Las Vegas, NV, and Washington, D.C. Most of all, he cherished his faith, his family, and his well-deserved rest. He often expressed deep gratitude to God for the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

On Monday, February 2, 2026, Rafus was called home to be with his Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Leola Anderson Middlebrooks; his sons, Mack, Willie, Anthony, and Bernard Middlebrooks; his grandsons, Tony Hogan and Kendrick "Ken" Owens; and his six siblings: David Edward Middlebrooks, Sarah Butts, Eva Mae Brown, Minnie Lou Mosley, Hustenton "PeeWee" Middlebrooks, and Lillie Ruth Middlebrooks King.

His legacy is carried forward by his children, Beryl Owens, Donald (Karen) Middlebrooks, Shirley Wynn, and Allen Middlebrooks; his 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.