Anita Louise Brooks

February 7, 1917 – August 7, 2014

Anita Louise (Smith) Brooks slipped out of her “earth suit” and into her heavenly attire on August 7, 2014, at the age of 97 years young.

Anita is survived by her daughter, Jill Louise Brooks; two nieces, Emily (Brooks) Wienke of Woodstock, Illinois and Jennifer (Brooks) Rogers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grand nephews; six grand nieces; and a multitude of friends and loved ones.

Interment will be coordinated by Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa, and a graveside service will be held in the Veterans’ section of Laurel Hill Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. Flowers may be sent to Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309 (515) 243-5221. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anita’s name to one of the following organizations:
1. The Park in Plano, 3208 Thunderbird Lane, Plano, TX 75050 (972) 422-2214 (Attn: Denise Colville, Activity Director)
2. DCCCD Foundation, Cedar Valley College Family Music Theatre, c/o Dr. Sam Germany, 3030 N. Dallas Avenue, Lancaster, TX 75134 (972) 860-8134 (Attn: Dr. Sam Germany)
3. Faith Comfort Care Home, 525 Birch Lane, Richardson, TX 75081 (214) 607-8763 (Attn: Loise Matthews, Director)
Additional information and a condolence guest book may be found at www.affoplano.com.

Anita was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Hazel Louise (Briggs) and Sidney Edwin Smith on February 7, 1917. Anita spent most of her life in Des Moines. She was a member of Union Park Christian Church and Capitol Hill Christian Church. She graduated from East High School in 1935. While at East, she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) William Brooks, also a 1935 graduate of EHS. One year later, on October 4, 1936, she and Bob eloped to Princeton, Missouri, and were married. They were married for 52 years when Bob preceded her in death on July 16, 1990.

Bob and Anita led very active lives while residing at 3042 Easton Blvd. and other residences on the east side of Des Moines. They were members of many organizations but were most active in Home Lodge and Eastern Star. After 15 years of marriage and surviving World War II together, their only daughter, Jill Louise Brooks, was born to them on December 28, 1951.

After Bob’s passing in 1990, Anita remained in Des Moines for 8 more years and then decided to move to Texas to be near daughter Jill. True to form, she became very active in both the Duncanville and DeSoto Senior Centers and even performed on stage in two productions by Cedar Valley College Family Music Theatre – “Clowntasia” and “Annie.” She remained independent and still driving until the age of 92. After a fall in 2009, her health gradually declined until her final breath was drawn at The Park in Plano - a skilled nursing facility in Plano, TX. Anita has now rejoined her loved ones, especially Bob, in her new heavenly home.

If we could hear her from there, she would be saying, “Thank you” to all of those who lovingly cared for her during her final years and days on earth. She would also be sending all of her love to those dear friends and family who still remain. She will be fondly remembered for her love of life and her wonderful sense of humor. She once said she wanted the following epitaph on her gravestone: “I told you I was sick!” In truth, she received total healing from her Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. To Him be the glory and praise for such a precious life. Amen.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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