Gladys Lena Rogers Brooks

Gladys Lena Rogers Brooks was born August 23, 1938, and died on November 3, 2021. She was surrounded by love and her children in the home of her daughter in South Asheville, NC. Gladys was the first of four children of Curtis Charles Rogers and Gladys Lawrence Rogers. Gladys and her siblings were raised by their parents in New Orleans and Metairie, surrounded by a deeply connected family. Gladys' three siblings include Ernestine Margaret Lowrie (William) of Columbus, OH; Wanda Lee Greve, deceased, (Gordon) of Durango, CO; and Curtis Charles Rogers, deceased, of New Orleans, LA. Gladys married the Rev. Dr. Jerrold Lee Brooks in 1961 in New Orleans. They raised two children, Elizabeth Rogers Brooks Mailander (Christopher) of Asheville, and Philip Jerrold Hamilton Brooks (Kelly) of Herrieden, Germany. In 1979, the family moved to Asheville, NC, accepting Jerry's call to become Executive Director of the Presbyterian Historical Foundation in Montreat. Gladys came to cherish the mountains and deeply loved her communities of Montreat, Black Mountain and Asheville. Family, church and education defined Gladys' life. The first in her family to earn a college degree, she always considered it her good fortune to have earned a bachelor's degree from Sophie Newcombe College and a master's degree in education from Tulane University. Her distinguished career included teaching roles at Port Sulphur (LA) Elementary School, the WW Holding Institute (Raleigh), Ursuline's Academy (New Orleans), The Newman School (New Orleans), Asheville High School and The University of North Carolina (Asheville). She retired as one of the administrators of Asheville High School, having served for many years with O.L. Sherrill and Larry Liggett, among the many fine administrators and teachers who shared her passion for education. Church shaped her life from an early age in New Orleans and Gladys served as an elder at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Her favorite church roles always involved time in the nursery during services and time with the youngest members of the congregation. Her joy in the company of young people was infectious, and Gladys was well loved by so many. Gladys' love of education and church was surpassed only by her love of family. The framed galleries decorating the walls of her home were of beautiful photos of her children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews. She adored and is survived by her five precious grandchildren, including Elias Brooks, Miriam Brooks, Simon Brooks, Connor Mailander and Abraham Mailander. She also loved Sam Baraki and Netsanet Solomon as her additional son and daughter, and their sons Isaac Baraki and Matthew Baraki as her grandchildren. Gladys is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins across the US and around the world. She is also survived by two beloved sisters in law, Susan Brooks (Hendersonville) and Brenda Brooks (Athens, GA). Gladys loved gardening, reading, good food, and travel. She cheered for any team her grandchildren played on, and passed only several days after her New Orleans Saints won and only hours after her Atlanta Braves won the 2021 World Series Championship. She was a consummate hostess who loved to throw a party. Her home was open to friends and strangers alike. She will be deeply missed by her family and those who had the good fortune to know her. A service to celebrate Gladys' life will be held at 11 a.m. EST on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. The service will also be broadcast on https://www.youtube.com/c/BlackMountainPresbyterianChurch. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Gladys' honor to The Verner Center for Early Learning, 2586 Riceville Rd., Asheville NC 28805.