Mary Rowena Brooks was born near Marine. Ill., May 12, 1857, and departed this life at Brunot, Mo., July 29, 1931, in her 75th year. She became a member of the Christian Church at Marine when 19 years old and remained true to the faith throughout life.
On Dec. 23, 1874, she was married to Isaac L. Brooks who survives her. To this union were born 13 children, nine of whom are yet living- four daughters and five sons and also three brothers, one sister, 28 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Very soon after her marriage the family moved to a farm near Patterson, Mo., and later to Patterson where most of the children were born. In 1901 the family home was on a farm six miles north of Patterson, and eight years later at Brunot where her death occurred.
Eleven granddaughters served as flower girls and five grandsons as pallbearers. The two eldest granddaughters reside In the Hawaiian Islands, and were, therefore, unable to be present.
The daughters who survive are: Mrs. I Sadie Neely, Santa Ana. California. ; Ruth Brooks, Brunot, Mo.: Mrs. Stella Henson, Piedmont, and Mrs. Virgie Hovis, Patterson. Mo. The sons are William, Conway. Ark.; Ell, Patterson, Mo.; Willard University City, MO.; Charles, Bloomfleld, MO.; and Fred, Webster Groves, Mo. Her surviving sister Is Miss Lulu Thornburg, Greenville, MO., and the brothers are Ed Thornburg, Brunot, Mo.; Warren Thoruburg, Perkins, Mo.. and Eli Thornsburg, Greenville, MO.
Funeral services, at the Brunot Christian Church where her husband has been pastor for 25 years, were conducted by Fred M. Goff. pastor of the Christian Church at Fredericktown. At Patterson, 1.0 miles south of Brunot, a second service was held at the church, followed by Interment In the cemetery there.
