Oretha B. Owens Brooks

Oretha B. Owens Brooks

As the day began on September 2, 2010 the God of all the universe went through His alphabets and chose the letter "O" and stopped by Scottsdale, AZ and took our dear wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, niece, counselor and friend; Oretha B. Owens Brooks, from labor to reward.

Oretha B. Owens Brooks, 79 of Chandler, AZ (Formerly of Ogden, UT) departed this life to abide in her heavenly home. She was born May 16, 1931 in Crescent, OK the fourth of six children to the late Halsie B. and Virneda Owens. She received her early education in the Crescent Oklahoma Schools. Her family moved to Ogden in the early 1940''s and she later attended Weber State University. She married the love of her life, Frank R. Brooks, Sr. on December 4, 1946 and to this union was born seven children.

Oretha was involved in both the Church and Community, receiving various awards and recognition. She was a founding member of the Wall Avenue/Finley Temple Church of God in Christ and served in various positions on the local, district and jurisdictional level including the state choir, state hospitality, church soloist, prayer and bible band and missionary board. She was licensed by the late Elder R.R. Girley and Late Bishop J. A. Blake, Sr. as a Licensed Missionary. She was employed by the Ogden Community Action Head Start Program for over seventeen years, where she worked as the Health Coordinator, and was also employed by SLC City County Health Department where she developed and implemented the CHEC (Child Health Evaluation and Care) program retiring in 1993. In addition, she was a member of Governor''s Black Advisory Board, SLC NAACP and Elks Lodge where she was selected Grand Daughter Ruler due to her involvement in many charities and social work.

She later moved to Chandler, AZ and united with the Agape Fellowship Church, under the pastorate of Elder Lawrence L. Golding and Prophetess Esther M. Golding, where for the past ten years she has served in various positions including ourtreach, food bank, intercessory prayer warrior, missionary board, licensed missionary and church mother until failing health prevented her regular attendance. Her hobbies were reading, poetry writing, traveling, outreach, missionary work, shopping/fashion, singing, sports, scrapbooking, community service and spending time with her family and friends who were the joy of her life.

She was preceded in death by both parents, one son; Frank R. Brooks, Jr., two brothers; Halsie M. Owens and Romaine Owens and two sisters; Evelyn Harris and Vasthi Mosley. She is survived by her husband of 64 years Frank R. Brooks, Sr.; Chandler, AZ their children: Virneda D. Brooks, AZ; Dr. Marlon R. Brooks MD, CA; Aretha L. (Johnny) Gardner, AZ; Esther M. (Lawrence) Golding, AZ; Owen D. (Camilla) Brooks, AZ; and Thilene (William) Samuel, AZ; one sister, Vivian (Jack) Brown, UT and one Aunt, Margaret Norwood, OK. Eleven grandchildren: Johnny L (Bible) Gardner II, AZ; Ranold L. Gardner, AZ; Skyy L. Gardner, AZ; Jonathan L. Gardner, AZ; Lawrence L. (Tiana) Golding II, AZ; Brooke L. Golding, AZ; Rodrick J. Golding, AZ; Izavier G. Mitchell, AZ; Jasmine D. Mitchell, AZ; James E. Samuel, AZ; Shauntel Crable Samuel, IN: Ten great-grandchildren, two God daughters: Nyler Ables and Debrah Thompson and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Griffin Memorial Church of God in Christ, 2424 E Ave, Ogden, Utah with Bishop Bobby Allen officiating. Friends may visit the family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah 84041 801 771-6666.

Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com Memorial funds can be sent to the Crohn''s and Colitis Foundation of America and Colon Cancer Alliance in her honor:

Crohn''s & Colitis Foundation National Processing Center Attn: Honor and Memorial Gifts P.O. Box 1245 Albert Lea, MN 56007-9976 www.ccsa.org

Colon Cancer Alliance www.ccalliance.org