Johney Brooks

Brooks, Johney ATHENS, N.Y. Johney Brooks, 83, of Athens, died Saturday, October 1, 2016, at Northeast Center for Special Care. Born in Clarksdale, Miss., she was a daughter of Thomas and Beulah Johnson. Her career included high school science teacher, superintendent, university professor, Peace Corps director, and U.S. Diplomatic service in Tunisia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Guyana, Turkmenistan and Papua New Guinea. She served at the World Centre of the Baha'i Faith in Haifa, Israel and continued in retirement to work in the local Baha'i Community in the greater Albany area and conduct community volunteer work. Johney is survived by her daughter, Alexis Brooks De Vita of Houston; her son, W. Abdullah Brooks and his wife, Vanessa of Reisterstown, Md.; a sister, Ellen Lomas of Los Angeles; eight grandchildren, Johnea, Maryam, Novella, Jordan, Francesco, Mona, Joseph and Alexander; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive. A funeral service will take place on Friday, October 7, at 10 a.m. at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave., Kingston. Interment with military honors will take place in New Paltz Cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations be made to: Defenders of Wildlife (defenders.org), National Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org), or to the United Negro College Fund (uncf.org ) Online condolences may be left for the family of Johney by visiting: SimpsonGaus.com