Wilma Lene Cromer Brooks, age 95, of Theodore, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2022 in Mobile, Alabama. Wilma was born on March 20, 1927, to David Leroy Cromer and Emma Lura Shotts Cromer in Hackleburg, Alabama. She attended school in Hackleburg and then in Shottsville, Alabama, before moving to Mobile. Times were hard during those years in north Alabama, but Wilma loved to share stories of having to walk everywhere they went, taking shortcuts as they could, and scooping buckets of water from the spring down the hill and bringing it back up to the house. Homework was completed on the bus ride home because there was no electricity in Shottsville, and homework would be done by lamplight. She remembers moving to Mobile late one night only to register herself the next morning into Murphy High School. It cost a nickel to ride the bus, and she had to change buses in town. She often would walk and take shortcuts to save her nickel. She graduated from Murphy High School and worked in Gayfers department store in the bookkeeping department for several years. Wilma married her high school sweetheart, Richard Ivan Brooks, and they were married 55 years upon his passing. She has been a long-time member of First Baptist Church Theodore. She is survived by their son, Paul R. Brooks (Cindy); two grandchildren, Geoffrey Brooks (Taylor) and Griffin Brooks; her cousin, Bob Garst, who Wilma says was her "other" brother; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, David Leroy and Emma Lura Cromer of Theodore, AL; her brothers, James Huel Cromer(Dana) of Spokane, Washington; Kenneth Clark Cromer (Frances) of Theodore, AL; and sister Jane Vernette Hewes Hanson of Theodore, AL. The family would like to thank the caregivers, Nuni and Cathy, from Touching Hearts at Home. They especially thank Marzella Wesley and her staff who provided loving care to Wilma in her group home.
March 20, 1927 ~ August 28, 2022 (age 95)
Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, September 2, at 12 p.m. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Theodore. Condolences may be offered at www.mmgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Mobile, Alabama 36619.
