Obituary of Earnest Brooks

Earnest, better known as Larry Brooks, was born in Batesville, Mississippi on June 10, 1953, to the proud parents of Wilson and Pearline Brooks who both preceded him in death. He was the tenth child born in a sibling group of twelve. Larry was also blessed with nine half sisters and brothers. He migrated to California in 1964 after a fire devastated the family home. He attended Seaside High School and graduated in 1972. He also attended Monterey Peninsula College for two years and majored in Business. Larry was an exceptional care-giver who equally loved and cared for children as well as the elderly. He was a tall, stout man with a gentle spirit and big heart. He enjoyed bowling, playing tennis and collecting coins, model cars, and dolls. He was unique and had a style of his own that never changed over the years. Maya Angelou said, ?Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you. All the other tangible rewards will come as a result?. Larry lived by that mantra. He was a hard worker and had an insatiable desire to do his job well. He lived to work and worked to live, as evidenced by his 28 years of employment at the Monterey Peninsula Herald Newspaper. His favorite phrase was ?Leave me alone, turkey?. If you had an opportunity to penetrate his outer layer, then you were able to take a glimpse at his inner strength, compassion and love for mankind. Larry was quiet and unassuming, a man of few words. He was dependable, honest and a man of his word. Larry always said what he meant and meant what he said. Earnest (Larry) Brooks leaves to cherish his memory six sisters; Juanita Dugger, Oakland, CA; Ruby Johnson & (Alfred Johnson), Oakland, CA; Katie Hearn & (Crawford N. Hearn), Killeen, TX, Vernisteen Carter, Oakland, CA; Thelma Spencer & (Robert Spencer) Union City, CA; Gwendolyn Wilson & (Carl Wilson) Columbus, SC, five brothers; Wilson Brooks & (Octavia Brooks), Oakland, CA; Grady Brooks & (Annie Bell Brooks), Oakland, CA; Monroe Brooks, Oakland, CA; Jimmie Brooks & (Belinda Brooks), Seaside, CA; and King Cole or K.C. and (Sylvia Brooks), Oakland, CA. and three generations of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of extended family, friends, co-workers and associates.