She taught in rural schools and in Ava for 36 years Wilma Porter Brooks was born on Aug. 24, 1928, to Charley E. Porter and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Plumb Porter, in Squires, Mo.
Wilma accepted Jesus into her heart when she was a teenager at Murray Church. She met, and after a whirlwind courtship, married Leo Eldon Brooks on May 18, 1946, in Mtn. Home, Ark. To this union were born Treva Kaye Brooks and Karen Reanee Brooks Roberts.
Wilma loved children. She taught at rural schools in Douglas County and in Ava for 36 years. After retiring, she spent time entertaining children by dressing as a clown. The light of her life was her grandchildren and great-grandchild. She always encouraged Heath and Buffy to play music and to serve the Lord. She especially loved to see Haley dance.
Wilma was known to spend her time outside and loved growing things. She was a compassionate person who loved her family greatly. Each member of her family somehow thought that they were her favorite because she had a knack for making them all feel very loved. Wilma was a member of Black Oak General Baptist Church and attended Happy Home Freewill Baptist Church for the past eight years. Wilma passed away on November 14, 2007.
Wilma is survived by her husband, Eldon Brooks, of the home; daughter Treva Brooks of Branson; daughter Reanee Roberts and son-in-law, Denny Roberts, of Ava; grandson, Heath Brooks Roberts and wife Cara, of Ava; granddaughter Buffy LaNay Dale and great-granddaughter, Haley Reanee Dale, of Branson. She is survived by two sisters, Bessie Porter Brown and husband Dempsey, of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Alice Porter Welch and husband Paul, of Ava. She is also survived by two brothers, Herbert Porter, of Ava, and Cap Porter and wife, Sue, of Ava, and a host of other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Charley and “Lizzie” Porter; and her siblings, Elmer Porter, Effie Porter Potter, Newt Porter, Pat Porter and Lewis Porter.
Wilma was greatly loved by her family and will be missed.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Dale Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 1 p.m. until service time. Memorials may be made to giver’s choice. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.
