Brooks Sr., Estol Garfield
Estol Garfield Brooks Sr., 93, of Pearisburg, Va., affectionately known as “Big E,” departed this life Monday, June 8, 2009. Estol G. Brooks Sr. was born in Giles County on November 3, 1915, to the late John Clarence and Daisy Whittaker Brooks. He was the third of four children born to this union, all of whom preceded in death.
Estol married Eula Lee Dabney (referred to all as “Polly”) on July 29, 1938. Born to this union, Estol G. Brooks Jr. (deceased), Douglas Fairbanks Brooks (deceased), Everett E. Brooks Sr., and Dewey M. Brooks. Polly departed this life on January 4, 1997. Estol married Ernestine Robinson in August 1998. Ernestine departed this life March 13, 2003. Estol married Diane Robinson on December 18, 2004.
He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Virginia Heights in Pearisburg, where he served as a Trustee, Choir member and Deacon. At the time of his death, he had earned the title of Deacon Emeritus. Estol was an avid gardener, faithful servant of Christ, and dearly loved by his family and many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Robinson Brooks, of Pearisburg; two sons and their wives, Everett E. Brooks Sr. and Charlsie, of Huntsville, Ala., Dewey M. Brooks and Joan, of Pearisburg; seven stepchildren, Adrian and Norman Leche, of Richmond, Va., Audrey Robinson, of Blacksburg, Carla Phillips and Marvin, of Blacksburg, Emanuel Austin, Ephilran Austin, Heather Austin, and Kelvin Austin; five grandchildren, Anthony Brooks, of Atlanta, Ga., Everett Brooks Jr., of Huntsville, Ala., Elliott G. Brooks, of Memphis, Tenn., Stephanie Clark, of Columbus, Ohio, Jazzon A. Symns, of Pearisburg; stepgrandchildren, Alexis, Jocelyn, Jayla, Khaneil, Natalie, Charlotte, Deandre, B.J., Michael, Deron, Denisha, Dontae, Eljah, Anglina, and Madison; a host of greatgrandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special grand niece, Chrissy Nash.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Virginia Heights in Pearisburg with the Rev. Michael Bratton, the Rev. T.M. Stevens and the Rev. Gary Alexander officiating. Entombment will follow in Birchlawn Abbey in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church of Virginia Heights on Friday, June 12, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider First Baptist Church of Virginia Heights. Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, Va., is serving the Brooks family. Online condolence messages to the family can be sent to www.riffes.com.