Riley W. Brooks

Riley W. Brooks, 85, of Senatobia, Mississippi, was born January 21, 1937, and passed away April 24, 2022, at Montgomery Gardens in Starkville, Mississippi.  He was preceded in death by his parents, R.L. and Jesse Brooks, and his sister, Carolyn T. Armstrong.  He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Bernice Byrd Brooks; his two daughters—Susan Brooks Cockerell (Kevin) of Millington, Tennessee; and Annice Brooks Jenkins (Rob) of Starkville, Mississippi; his sisters—Robbie R. Anderson (Bobby) of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Ruth B. Ray of Canton, Mississippi; Linda Newton of Senatobia, Mississippi; Judy B. Lollar (Dwight) of Winona, Mississippi; and Betty Adams (Kenny) of Houston, Mississippi; his brothers—James Ray Brooks (Vonnie) of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Mike Brooks (Regina) of Henderson, Tennessee; his grandchildren—Rachael Cockerell Abernathie (Andy), William Cockerell (Alex), Brooks Jenkins, and Braxton Jenkins; and his great grandchildren—Joshua and Daniel Abernathie.

Riley grew up in Vaiden, Mississippi, and graduated from Vaiden High School.  After high school, he attended Holmes Junior College.  When he finished at Holmes, he joined the United States Air Force, in which he served from 1957-1961.  After serving his country, Riley attended the University of Mississippi and earned his Bachelor’s Degree, as well as his Master’s Degree in Education.  When Riley finished his education, he taught school for five years in the Calhoun City Schools, Calhoun, Mississippi.

At this point in his life, Riley accepted a position as District Conservation Officer for Tate County, Mississippi, where he served for thirty years.

Riley and his wife, Bernice, built their lives together in Senatobia, Mississippi, where they reared their two daughters.  Riley was a faithful member of Senatobia First Baptist Church for approximately fifty-five years where he was not only a deacon, a choir member, a Sunday school teacher, but also a “servant” in every sense of the word.  As his daughter described her father, “If there was anything that involved the church, Daddy wanted to be a part of it.” Along with his love of all aspects of the church was his love of God's Word, evidenced by his longtime work with the Senatobia Camp of Gideons International.

Anyone who knew Riley W. Brooks well could say of him that he loved God, his Savior Jesus Christ, his family, his church, and especially the choir.  Riley dedicated many hours of his time to the First Baptist Church choir where one could always find him on Sunday mornings and on special occasions when the choir performed.

In Riley W. Brooks’ own words, “On June 4, 1967, my wife Bernice; our two girls, Susan and Annice; and I walked the aisle of First Baptist Church, Senatobia, Mississippi.  Oh, what a blessing that has been for us!  I sang in the choir that Sunday and have never stopped. The Lord has blessed me beyond measure because of the music, the choir members, and those who encouraged me every day.”

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 27, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center of First Baptist Church Senatobia. Services will follow in the church Sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow with military honors at Senatobia Memorial Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to the Choir Fund at First Baptist Church Senatobia, P.O. Box 99, Senatobia, MS 38668.

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