MRS. ETHA MAE BROOKS , was born March 23, 1954, to the late Deacon Coy Burney, Sr. and Mrs. Josephine Hinton Burney. "Baby Sister", as she was affectionately named by her family was one of 13 children. She was a graduate of Harrison Central High School and a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Saucier, Mississippi. After completing high school, Baby Sister decided to continue her education and enrolled in the Gulfport School of Business. Upon completing course work at the Gulfport School of Business, she obtained certifications in Secretarial Services and Office Administration.

In 1974, Baby Sister met and married, Otis James Brooks, Sr., of Wiggins, Mississippi. Otis was the love of her life and in turn, he treated her like a queen. To their union was blessed three sons, Otis James Brooks, Jr., Antoine Marquentis Brooks, and Adrian Lamont Brooks. As the spouse of a Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Army, Baby Sister and her family were stationed in several states across the country. After 16 years of traveling, Baby Sister and Otis decided to settle in Gulfport, Mississippi where they reared their children and grandchildren.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

As parents and grandparents, Baby Sister and her husband traveled and supported their children and grandchildren as they were involved in baseball, basketball, and football. She was faithful and she honored her oath to the Lord as a wife and a mother. Many who knew Baby Sister knew four immutable things for certain. She loved her husband, her children, her family and she loved the Lord Jesus Christ. The truth of this love was the essence of who Baby Sister was. She simply exuded the love that Christ commands of us, as believers.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,

After their time traveling with their children and grandchildren's sports teams, Baby Sister decided to work. This decision proved to be a good one. While employed, Baby Sister advanced and moved up the ranks quickly, becoming a supervisor. As a supervisor of a Dollar General, she handled many challenges associated with store management. Every day was not easy, but Baby Sister maintained a smile and took each obstacle with stride because she loved her job and she loved people, especially her associates. She was an outstanding Supervisor and exemplified hard work and dedication in all that she did.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

The Bible confirms for us that the virtuous woman offers words of wisdom, is generous, is not idol, and does all that is needed to ensure that her family is secure. While her entire family is saddened at Baby Sister's departure, they rejoice, for they were blessed to have found and shared space and time on Earth with such a VIRTUOUS woman.

"...Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

She was preceded in death by her parents; Deacon Coy Burney, Sr. and Josephine Hinton Burney; her husband of 44 years, Otis James Brooks, Sr.; a son, Adrian Lamont Brooks; three sisters, Mary Lou Farmer, Mae Francis Martin, and Ethel Bell Davis.

Her beautiful memories will be cherished by her children, Otis J. Brooks, Jr., Antoine M. Brooks; six grandchildren, Dajia Brooks, Olivia Brooks, Otis Brooks, III, Jeniah Brooks, Layla Brooks, and Mya "Cheyanne" Brooks; four brothers, Coy Burney, Jr., Ambrose Burney, Charles Burney, Kenneth Montgomery; five sisters, Sarah Jackson, Shirley Arrington, Lucy Barnes, Florita Keller, Lola Burney and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.