Ames Edwin Brooks, 79, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017 at North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in Tupelo on December 4, 1937 to Willie Marshall and Jessie Elsie Gregory Brooks. After a brief time in Mantachie and Arkansas, Ames returned to Tupelo to begin school and graduated from Tupelo High School. From 1956 until 1964, he served in the Mississippi Army National Guard and was involved in the integration of Ole Miss when the Guard was nationalized by President Kennedy in 1962. In 1963, Ames married Ramona Scruggs. Ames worked numerous years at Daybrite and Tupelo Water and Light, retiring at the age of 60. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and coaching baseball, but especially spending time with his two granddaughters. Ames was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan and Mississippi State fan. He loved his Fiest dog, who he affectionately called his “Grand Dog.” Ames was a member of Chesterville Baptist Church and attended Harrisburg Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Ramona Scruggs Brooks of Tupelo; children, Tim A. Brooks of Columbus and Brett Brooks (Carla) of Tupelo; granddaughters, Brett Ashleigh Brooks and Kendall Brooks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Christine Jones; brother, Robert Brooks; and special niece, Joyce Jones.
Memorial services honoring his life will be 3 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2017 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Dr. Chuck Hampton will officiate the service and burial will be in Old Union Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Burleson, Charles Davis, Mark Burleson, Joel Shumpert, Brad Chiles, Jim Floyd, Derwood Tutor, Michael Brooks and Phillip Brooks.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
