Obituary of William Don Brooks

William Donald (Don) Brooks, 95, departed this life Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott, AR. Don was born August 4, 1925 in Madison, IL to the late David Cecil and Edith Lula (McDowell) Brooks. Don grew up in the Macedonia Community and loved his home and family. He talked about his grandparents and aunts and uncles fondly. He loved his family dearly, and everyone was important to him. Growing up on Current River and surrounding forest lands, Don loved hunting and fishing. He respected all of God’s creation. Don had a cabin at Peter Bay, at one point in his life, and all family and friends were welcome to come and enjoy the river. He was a quiet man, but he shared everything, including his love of the river. Some of the family’s fondest memories include being in the boat in the early morning to run the trot line and motor up the river just to enjoy the beauty. Don loved God, family, community, and country. He was always ready to visit the sick or those who had lost a loved one. He was generous and giving living out the scripture that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He loved to give to others more than anything. Don loved people and was always ready with a smile and handshake. Don had worked at an assembly worker for Wagner Electric. He was a Composite Lodge Master Mason 3rd Degree and had served in the United States Navy during World War II as a radioman on the USS Alvin C. Cockrell DE 366. He went aboard the USS Missouri and met Admiral Nimitz once to deliver a message. For a young country boy, that was quite intimidating. After meeting the admiral, he said he was a very kind man. Don was one of the first to arrive at Iwo Jima to walk across the crater looking for wounded and deceased. Like many who served in the military, he didn’t talk about any of these things until later in life. On June 22, 1947, Don married Myrtle Faye McPheeters in Jonesboro, AR. She preceded him in death on September 21, 2016. Surviving are his five children, LaDonna Faye Cooper of Jonesboro, AR, David Ray Brooks of Doniphan, MO, Judy Marie Smith of Poplar Bluff, MO, Joyce Elaine Craven of Florissant, MO, and Ronald Edward Brooks of Poplar Bluff; his sisters, Melba L. Strawn, Lavena Sue Watkins, and Betty Fedke, all three of Sun City Center, FL; and a brother, Fred L. Brooks also of Sun City Center, FL. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Don will be missed. In addition to his parents and wife, Don was preceded in death by his sister, Geneva M. Rapert, and a brother, Wilmer G. (Bud) Brooks. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11, 2020 from 10:00 to noon with the funeral service following at noon in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Larry Lovvorn and Ken Beaver officiating. A graveside service will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery with full military honors. Pilgrim’s Rest Church on Highway 160E will serve a dinner after the services. Serving as pall bearers are Rob Wood, Noah Wood, Dan Fucella, Jacob Fucella, Garry Smith, and Richard Brown.