Joe W. B. Brooks

The Rev Dr. Joe W. B. Brooks was born in Charleston, WV to Walter and Stella Brooks.
He was a graduate of West Virginia University, Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA (now Union Presbyterian Seminary); and McCormick Theological Seminary (D Min).
He was the husband of his precious wife Izzie for almost 67 years. He is survived by their daughter, Rev. Marty Brooks Simmons; two grandchildren: Joe Simmons (Beth) and Abby Lasky (Joshua); three great-grandchildren: Hannah Simmons, Erin Simmons and Caleb Simmons.
Joe is also survived by his sister-in-law, Louise Ford; niece and nephew Susan and Steve Kamin; great-nephew Wil Kamin and great-niece Katie Kamin; brother-in-law Dick Berry; nephew Rick Berry; great-nephew Walker Noel; Joe’s many cousins; and his friends, who were truly family as well.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Brooks and Stella Brooks; his sister, Anne Brooks Berry; his niece, Martha Berry Noel; and his great-niece, Rachel Noel.
Joe and Izzie took their first call of ministry—a two-church field—at North Wilson Presbyterian Church (Wilson, NC) and Frank Price Chapel (Black Creek, NC). This was followed by ministries at Edgemont Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, SC and Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC. In December 1981 Joe and Izzie moved to First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, SC, where he served as the Senior Pastor. After retiring from fulltime ministry in Clinton in December 1996, he and Izzie continued to serve churches throughout SC in an interim capacity up until 2008. In addition, during his family’s yearly vacation, Joe was always honored to preach at the Pawley’s Island Chapel.
While Joe remained a Mountaineer fan throughout his life, many assumed he was a Presbyterian College graduate, due to his support and love of that school through the years, as a 19-year-long member of the Board of Trustees, a parent, a grandparent and a fan of multiple PC teams. He received an honorary doctorate from PC in 2001, and was named, along with Izzie, as honorary alums in 2003 in recognition of their service to the college.
Joe was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and servant of God. The number of lives Joe touched over the years are immeasurable, and he loved and laughed every step of the way.
Services for Joe will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 410 E Carolina Ave, Clinton, SC at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 6th with Dr. Jeri Perkins and Rev. Marty Brooks Simmons presiding.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. before the memorial service in the church. The family will be greeting friends in the fellowship hall following the service.
Memorials may be made in Joe’s name to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 29, Clinton, SC 29325 or Presbyterian College, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton