Samuel David Brooks was born on November 3, 1938, in Tupelo, Mississippi, the eldest son of Earl and Bessie Mae Brooks. He grew up on the family farm, learning early the values that would define his life: hard work, honesty, and the importance of showing up for the people who depend on you. Samuel served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961, completing his service with the rank of Corporal. After returning home, he enrolled at Mississippi State University on the GI Bill, earning a degree in Agricultural Science in 1965. He spent the next three decades farming the land his grandfather had cleared, growing cotton, soybeans, and the most admired vegetable garden in Lee County. In 1963, Samuel married Dorothy Jean Caldwell at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo, a union that lasted sixty-three years and produced four children, twelve grandchildren, and a household that was always full of food, football, and laughter. Samuel was a deacon at Calvary United Methodist Church for thirty years, a member of the Lee County Farm Bureau, and a fixture at every Friday night high school football game for four decades. He was a man of few words and great deeds. Neighbors knew they could count on him. His children knew he would always come. His grandchildren knew that his porch was the best place in the world to spend a summer afternoon. Samuel David Brooks passed from this life on July 22, 2026, at the age of 87, surrounded by his family and at peace with his God.

Hobbies & interests

Farming and tending his vegetable garden; hunting and fishing in the Tombigbee River bottoms; attending Friday night high school football games; woodworking and repairing farm equipment; sitting on the front porch with neighbors; watching Mississippi State football

Survived by

His wife, Dorothy Jean Brooks (née Caldwell); four children: Earl David Brooks (Linda) of Tupelo, MS, Sandra Brooks-Whitfield (James) of Oxford, MS, Tommy Ray Brooks (Carol) of Corinth, MS, and Deborah Brooks-Langley (Paul) of Memphis, TN; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his brother, Roy Brooks of Tupelo, MS.

Preceded in death by

His parents, Earl and Bessie Mae Brooks; his sister, Norma Jean Brooks-Tatum; and his son-in-law, Richard Langley.