The funeral service for Benny Ray Brooks, age 72 of Lineville, will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Wesley’s Chapel Christian Church with Rev. Billy Todd officiating. Burial with military honors and graveside Masonic Rites will follow in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Brooks passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Clay County Hospital. He was a native of Lanett, AL but had lived most of his life in Randolph County. Mr. Brooks graduated from Lineville High School in 1965 and joined the U. S. Navy shortly thereafter. He served over 21 years and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer – 3 in 1986. During his military service Mr. Brooks earned a number of military awards and decorations including the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star.
Mr. Brooks was the owner-operator of Chapel Automotive Electric, member and secretary-treasurer for Wesley’s Chapel Christian Church, current Worshipful Master of the Hartwell Lodge 101, a member of the Lineville Masonic Lodge #219, Past Imminent Commander of the York Rite in Anniston, 32nd degree Scottish Rite in Birmingham, member of the East Alabama Shrine Zamora Temple, Knight Mason and the Dinar Grotto in Alabama.
Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife, Miriam Brooks of Lineville; one son, John Andrew Brooks (April) of Beaufort, SC; three daughters: Sherry Brooks Grimsley of Ashland, AL, Denna Brooks Reddick (Dennis) of Charleston, SC and Beth Johnson Brown (Dave) of Cumming, GA; five grandchildren: Amanda Brooks Hansil (Bailey) of Huntersville, NC, Kyle Ray Brooks of Charleston, SC, Lili Elizabeth Gonzales of Alexander City, AL, Emma Claire Runfola of Ashland, AL and John David Reddick of Charleston, SC; two great-grandchildren: Charlotte Renee Hansil and James Brooks Hansil of Huntersville, NC.
He was preceded in death by his parents: John Thomas Brooks and Loree Richardson Brooks and his brother, Jimmy Fay Brooks.
Pallbearers will be Robert Dempsey, Watts East, Vernon Chapman, Rickey Whaley, Johnny Morrison and Jeff Fuller. Members of the Hartwell Lodge 101 will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville. Mr. Brooks will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to service time on Wednesday. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Zamora Shriners Transportation, 3521 Ratliff Road, Irondale, AL 35210.
