Kelly Athena Brooks climbed her Stairway to Heaven on March 22nd after 27 months of quadriplegia. She stayed on this Earth for a long bittersweet goodbye, leaving as God’s Grace shined in her suffering for those who sat and listened. Kelly had a revelation in recent weeks that her grandparents were coming soon to escort her to Heaven. All who knew Kelly knew she was a fighter and helped several friends and family along the way with her knowledge and love. She grew up in Pleasant Valley graduating in 1997 as Valedictorian where she won several individual and team State Championships and friendships. She chose to attend Jax State on a track and academic scholarship where she earned several honors through her academic and athletic careers at JSU, graduating with a B.S In Physical Education with concentrations in General Science and Physical Education (Top five in her class). There she also earned a M.S in Physical Education- Sports Science. She continued to the University of Alabama for her Ph.D in Human Performance-Exercise Physiology. She served as a graduate instructor at Alabama before becoming the first woman Director of the Exercise Physiology Lab at ULM while teaching there as well. She was also a Professor at Louisiana Tech and later moved to teach at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Kelly also co-founded the academic Journal of Sport and Human Performance while in Texas. She left to work at Apple in California in their special projects department. Some time later, she moved back to Alabama near her parents where she took time to raise her family while working for Liberty University as an online professor of Statistics and other subjects. Kelly had a very successful research career during her time as a professor with over 30 academic publications. Her favorite hobby was studying geology where she planned to pursue another degree. Kelly was honored in 2013 by a former student and Fighter Pilot who flew the American Flag in a combat mission over Afghanistan in his honor of her tutelage.
Kelly was a die hard Bama fan and a lover of dogs who once started her own animal shelter in Texas. In lieu of flowers she would love a donation in her name to any humane society. She spent her last weeks absorbed into Dog Whisperer episodes, and laughing at Impractical Jokers.
Kelly wanted to extend her love to all her family, friends, and caretakers. She wishes to be cremated with a private family memorial in the near future, at the convenience of her family.
Surviving Kelly are her daughters, Natalie Brooke Friery, and Alexis Jade Craven of Fort Payne, AL.
Parents Leah and David Brooks of Fort Payne, AL.
Sister Kristal Almond of Bremen, Ga.
Brother David “Davy” Brooks of Powder Springs, Ga.
She leaves several close nieces, nephews, and cousins as well. Prized were her two dogs who served as her special support angels throughout the past 7 years.
