Juanita Beatrice (Harvey) Brooks

Her Life’s Reflection

Juanita Brooks passed away quietly at home on April 21, 2023, at the age of 94, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Mrs. Brooks was born Juanita Beatrice Harvey on June 14, 1928, in Bonner Springs, Kansas to parents Lester Harvey and Sadie Williams.  Juanita was the first-born grandchild on both sides of her family.  She migrated to Kansas City, Kansas, when she was six years old and attended Grant Elementary School.  She would go on to attend Northeast Junior High School and graduated from Sumner High School in 1946.  She met and married William “Billie” Brooks on June 18, 1949.  From their union, she had three daughters and one son.  The two were married for 47 years, until his passing on July 1, 1996.  She always said they were aiming for 50 years of marriage.

She worked with the Douglas School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and became the Vice President during her housewife years.  She began her career at KU Medical Center, where she worked for eight years.  In 1968, she joined the Internal Revenue Service as a Research Clerk.  She was there for 25 years until her retirement in 1990.

She was a member of the Eastern Star for over 50 years.  Juanita always had a zest for life and was an avid traveler.  She was a member of the Traveler’s Club as well.  She joined the First A.M.E. Church in 1952.  Juanita was a 50-year church member, as well as a member on the Usher Board for 25 years. She also volunteered with the missionary and the food kitchen. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester Harvey, and Sadie Williams Harvey; her husband, William Brooks Sr.; her daughters, Lorna Brooks, and Christa Blake; her brother, Lester Harvey, Jr; her sisters, Dloris Harvey Davis, and Nona M. Moore.

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Carmen Brooks, her son, and daughter in-law, William Brooks Jr. (Audrey); her son in law, Richard Blake; her sister, Portia A. Moore; her grandchildren, Antonio Brooks, David Brooks, Deitrick Radford (Evelin), Stacey Hall (Munirah), Veronica Lewis (Tavarus), Jessica Brooks, and Keisha Lewis (Eric).  She is also survived by great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

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