Betty Gale (Kennedy) Brooks

Betty Gale Brooks, 87, of Hermann, MO, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Hermann Area District Hospital, Hermann, Missouri, after a brief illness.

Betty was born in Mississippi County, Arkansas on January 25, 1936, she was the daughter of the late  R.P. & Rena Bell (Johnson) Kennedy.

She was united in marriage to Don Brooks on August 25, 1956 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  They remained married until his death in 2022.  For 66 years they were a devoted and loving couple.  She lovingly cared for Don throughout his battle with Alzheimer's.

Betty attended Arkansas State where she met Don.  She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.  Betty retired from the Rockwood School District, where she taught second grade, after 25 years of service.  She and Don then ran a successful bed and breakfast in Hermann, Missouri and eventually retired to Don's grandfather's homestead in Brunot, Missouri.  

Betty was the loving mother of Charlotte (Rick) Emmons, Mark (Jill) Brooks, Mary (Greg) Caragher, and Pat (Stephanie) Brooks; grandmother to Andy (Kara), Steven, Ashley (Michael), Isaac (Katie), Katie, Ryan and Samantha; great-grandmother to Reid, Chet, Brooks, and James, and a sister to Larry (Jan) Kennedy.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Douglas Kennedy and two sisters, Jean Cashion and Phyllis Brockmann.

Betty's faith and family were the cornerstone of her life.  With her children and grandchildren, she shared her love of Christ, music, and gardening.  She loved to sing hymns with family.  She created wonderful flowering gardens at her home in Brunot.  She was an active church member her entire life, most recently at Hermann United Methodist Church in Hermann, MO, Beulah Baptist Church in Brunot, MO, and at Trinity Methodist Church in Piedmont, MO.  She taught numerous Sunday school classes, led vacation Bible school camps, sang in the church choir, was a member of the United Methodist Women's group, and conducted Bible studies at church and local nursing homes.  She completed the Emmaus Program and was an Emmaus mentor.  She supported numerous charities with her time and money.  Her faith was one of action and love.  To her family she was a devoted, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and she will be dearly missed.  She was a blessing to all that knew her and those that loved her.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 19th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann, where funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m., with Pastor Phil Cox officiating. 

Burial will be at Patterson Community Cemetery, Patterson, Missouri.  Memorials may be given to Alzheimer's Association.