Helen Christine Brooks

Helen Christine Brooks, age 101, slipped into the arms of her Savior on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Mandeville, LA. A Graveside Service will be conducted on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Belleview Cemetery of Bells, TN, with Bro. Carl White officiating.

Mrs. Brooks was born in Bells, TN on October 1, 1923, to the late Ossie Gordon Pigue and the late Sophia Hortense Vestal Pigue. At six years old she lost her mother and lived with her grandmother until she died when Helen was 14. She then lived in Bells with her mother’s sister Del and her husband Tom Barnes, who would become like grandparents to her boys. She graduated from Bells High School in 1940. In April of 1942 she married her husband of over 75 years, the late TF Brooks, Jr. of Bells. Shortly after their wedding, TF was drafted into the Army and Helen spent most of the next 2 years traveling from coast to coast, following her husband as he trained for his engagement in World War II. While TF was serving in Europe, Helen delivered their first son, Steve in 1945. TF returned in late 1945 and he and Helen enjoyed civilian life in Bells, welcoming their second son Paul in 1948. In 1950, TF was called back into active duty in the Army and was sent to serve in the Korean War. After Korea, TF pursued a career in the Army that lasted 26 years and took the family to live in Japan twice and in Germany once. Helen was an amazing Proverbs 31 mother and wife, involved in her sons’ schools and activities. She was the consummate Army wife, always hospitable and active in all the Army wives’ and couples’ social activities where she learned to play golf. In 1963 the family was assigned to Memphis, Tennessee where TF retired from the Army in 1970 after serving a year in Viet Nam. In 1981, Helen and TF moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL where they spent much of their time playing golf and entertaining visiting children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

Helen was a wonderful cook and her greatest joy in life was to serve others, a true gift from her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for Helen flowed through her every time she served whether in her family, her golf group, her condo association or her church, First Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach. Shortly after celebrating 75 years of marriage, TF went to be with the Lord in 2017 after a short illness. Helen moved to St. Anthony’s Gardens in Mandeville, LA near Steve and his wife Sue and granddaughter Jill in 2018, who cared for her lovingly for many years In St. Anthony’s Helen continued to serve with godly contentment, even in some very difficult physical circumstances.

She died at 101 years old at St. Anthony’s surrounded by family and the caring staff there. Helen was also preceded in death by her son: Steve Brooks; and three half-sisters: Nellie Jo Pigue Finley, Alice Faye Pigue Morris and Nancy Ellen Pigue Pillow.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Sue, son Paul Brooks (Kay) of Overland Park, KS; four grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren: Todd Brooks (Lisa) (Katie, Emma, and Garrett), Jill Brooks Allen (Kevin) (Taylor), Mark Brooks (Brytt) (Sutton, Hollis, Madden and Perrin), Scott Brooks (Kristi) (Quinn and Hallie).