September 8, 1935 ~ June 20, 2024 (age 88)
Sara Margaret Floyd Brooks, 88, died at home on June 20, 2024. Sara was born on September 8, 1935 to parents English Troy (“Dink”), Jr. and Maggie Walters Floyd.
Sara grew up on a farm in Proctorville, NC, the youngest of nine children. She attended Orrum High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading and basketball teams. She met the love of her life, William Dannelly (Bill) Brooks, Jr. as a teenager, and although she loved her education at the former Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs, NC, she loved Bill more, and they married in December 1954. While Bill earned his degree at NC State College, Sara, ever the helpmate, assisted him in his studies. The NC State College Student Government honored her contribution by bestowing her the “Ancient Proud Title” of Goodwife upon Bill’s graduation. After living in Framingham, MA, Nuremburg, Germany, and Newport News, VA, the couple settled in Whiteville, NC, where they raised their three children.
An ardent lover of God’s creation, Sara quickly became active in the Aza-Melia Garden Club, serving as its president in 1978-79. Sara also served as president of the Whiteville Garden Council and helped to organize two garden clubs in that role. She held many jobs on the District level, including being secretary for two years. She served many years on the Board of Directors for the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC. Sara was a life member of the Garden Club of NC, including serving as chaplain for two terms; the South Atlantic Region of the National Garden Clubs; and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. She worked on a statewide level as a member of the Highway Beautification Council and on the Board of Directors for NC Beautiful, receiving the NC Beautiful David E. Reynolds Award for Extraordinary Service. This is just a partial list of her service and accomplishments in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the state and the nation. Her proudest accomplishment was, as State Chair of the South Atlantic Region from 1997-99 and then Chair of the Martha Franck Fragrance Garden from 1999-2003, raising over $200,000 to refurbish the garden at the Governor Morehead School in Raleigh for the enjoyment of the visually impaired. The Garden Club of NC rewarded her with its highest recognition by giving her the Maslin Award in 2009. Sara was also active in her community. At the Whiteville United Methodist Church, where she was a member, she founded, directed, and taught at its preschool program, served on and led several committees, and sang in the choir. She chaired the Community Improvement Committee for the Whiteville Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society. Wherever she was, Sara bettered her surroundings through her drive and leadership abilities.
Sara is survived by her three children, William Dannelly Brooks, III (Kathy) of Hickory, NC, Sara Kathryn Brooks Collier (Jim) of Morristown, NJ, and Susan Elizabeth Brooks of Raleigh, NC; her five grandchildren: William Dannelly Brooks, IV, Sara Elizabeth Collier Duyck (Fred), James Brooks Collier (Luke), Emily Kathryn Collier Porter (Sutton), and Margaret Anna Collier; and her six great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, her parents, her two brothers, and her six sisters.
A funeral service will be held Monday, July 1, 2024, at Whiteville United Methodist Church at 11:00 am with Rev. Howard James officiating. A private burial will be held at Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.
McKenzie Mortuary, 112 Jefferson Street, Whiteville, NC is serving the Brooks family.
Donations in Sara’s memory can be made to The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc., P.O. Box 33520, Raleigh, NC 27636-3520 or to the General Fund of the Whiteville United Methodist Church online at https://tinyurl.com/4nsxpebx.
