Mildred Brooks

1931 - 2025

Mildred Vane Brooks, 94, born on March 23, 1931, in Fishing Creek, Maryland, passed away on July 16, 2025. She was the daughter of Blanche Aaron Simmons and Monroe Talmadge Simmons and a graduate of Hooper's Island High School.

In 1950, she began her professional career as a Bookkeeper and Credit Manager for the Montgomery Ward Catalog Department in Cambridge. She later spent 15 years with the C & P Telephone Company of Maryland and worked for the General Telephone Company in Bradenton, Florida.

While residing in Anne Arundel County, she was employed part-time with the State of Maryland in both the Payroll Auditing Department and the Data Processing Section of the Income Tax Department.

Upon returning to the Eastern Shore, she became co-owner and operator of B & J Market, a local convenience store in Salisbury.

Mildred had a lifelong love of music. At a young age, she taught herself to play the accordion and guitar, enjoying many joyful moments making music with friends. She later learned to play the electric organ.

She was a devoted member of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Post 88 of the 29th Division, the American Legion Post 91 Auxiliary, and the Cambridge Elks Lodge No. 1272. Additionally, she served as secretary of the Cambridge Coin Club and was a former member of the Cambridge Yacht Club.

Mildred is survived by her two sons, William B. Vane III and his wife Audrey of Pittsville, and Charles E. Vane, Jr. and his wife Paula of Quantico; and a daughter-in-law, Nora Spicer of Grasonville. She was blessed with seven grandchildren—Addison Spicer, Charles Vane III, Michael Vane, Carrie Hager, Stephanie Tippett, Leigh Perkins, and Charles Perkins—and seven great-grandchildren: Logan and Bryce Wantland, Zachary and Liam Perkins, Autumn Vane, and Lilly and Nolan Spicer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 33 years, Charles Vane; her late husband, Archie Brooks; her son, Lenny Spicer; her brother, Monroe Simmons; and her sisters, Doris Adams, Martha Foxwell, and Lottie Insley.

A funeral service will be held at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Father Dan Dunlap officiating. Interment will follow at Old Trinity Churchyard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mildred's name to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1877, Salisbury, MD 21802, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 205 Maryland Ave., Cambridge, MD 21613 or to Church Creek Fire Hall, P.O. Box 16, Church Creek, MD 21622.