Saundra Brooks

Saundra Jean Brooks passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, surrounded by her two children in Austin, TX, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Saundra was born in 1948 in Russellville, AR, and grew up in North Little Rock, AR. She graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1966 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1970. She later completed a Master's degree in Communication from Northeast Louisiana University.

Saundra married Kelly Brooks in 1970. They shared 24 years of marriage and raised two children together. His career as a chemical engineer led their family to relocate to several cities, where Saundra continued her own professional journey as an educator while being a loving mother who seamlessly integrated her family into each new community.

As a lifelong teacher, Saundra influenced the lives of numerous students. She taught a variety of subjects and was always willing to fill a need or embrace new opportunities. Her teaching career included substitute roles in St. Louis, MO, and Philadelphia, PA; college-level communication courses in Monroe, LA; GED instruction and test preparation in Franklin, LA; middle school English in Corpus Christi, TX; and general academic skills and GED support through the Civilian Student Training Program (CSTP) in Little Rock, AR. Saundra concluded her career at the historic Central High School in Little Rock, where she taught freshman remedial reading, a mythology elective, and ultimately 12th-grade AP English. During her tenure there, she was proud to be part of the school community for the 40th anniversary of the desegregation of Central High, an event attended by President Bill Clinton and all members of the Little Rock Nine. She was known for her dedication to her students, writing countless letters of recommendation to help them pursue their dreams. After retiring, she moved to Lakeway, TX, in 2014.

Saundra led an active and fulfilling life with many interests and hobbies, including gardening, reading, walking, volunteering, photography, traveling, attending theater and live music performances, playing bridge and other games, antiquing, decorating, and watching movies. She also loved attending her grandchildren's sporting events, dance performances, and school celebrations. While living in Franklin, LA, she combined her love of writing and photography as a reporter for the local newspaper, The Banner Tribune. Above all, she cherished time with friends and family, especially her five grandchildren. Her intelligence, strength, and love shone brightly in all that she did, reflecting her fierce independence and determination to accomplish anything she set her mind to. Those same traits live on in her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Brooks, and his wife, Spring, and their two children, Olivia and Patrick, of Baton Rouge, LA; her daughter, Stephanie Corliss, and her husband, Scott, and their three children, Avery, Calleigh, and Wesley, of Austin, TX; her sister, Donna Brooks, of Tabernash, CO; her sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Jim Walker, of Dover, AR; her uncle, Burl Hogins, of San Diego, CA; her aunt and her husband, Brenda and Tom Mackenzie, of Porum, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She will be laid to rest in Russellville, AR, at Rest Haven Memorial Park. Service details are forthcoming.