Mr. Thelester Brooks

Our beloved father, grandfather and brother transitioned to his heavenly home on Monday, December 30, 2024 at the age of 83 years. He was born in Longview, Texas on October 1, 1941 the son of Willie Dell Green and Horace Brooks. Thelester moved to Saginaw, Michigan in the early 1960’s. He married Geneva Gillespie in 1968 and he was a faithful member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Thelester was employed with Malleable Iron Foundry, General Motors and Dow Chemical Company. He was an entrepreneur and owner of Brooks Auto Repair Shop. He was known for his ability to restore classic cars. He continued to work on cars into his retirement. Thelester was a gifted trumpet player and a former member of The Soul Inspiration Band. The band played venues throughout Saginaw and Mid-Michigan in the 1970’s. He was an avid golfer and traveled to golf tournaments to compete. He taught golf to students at Bridgeport High School. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren passing along his love for restoring cars, golfing and his handy man skills. Mr. Brooks memory will be cherished by his six children, Charlie Brown of Atlanta, GA, Sharon (Mark) Patterson-Brown of Hampton, GA, J.D. (Brenda) Brown of Saginaw, MI, Betrice (Mark) Brown Christmas of Jonesboro, GA, Andre Johnson of Dallas, TX and Ellester (Birdie) Brooks of Saginaw, MI; 15 grandchildren, Shelina, Michael and Sherwin Brown, Mark Christmas, Jr. Ellester Brooks, Jr., Isaiah and Ellexis Brooks, Austin and Antoinette Kincaid, Luetisha Clark, Sherika Kincaid, Chariclea Brown, Shavonda Burton, Jai De Johnson, Sr. and BreAnna Andrea Johnson; 19 great-grandchildren, Itali, Ingland and Ireland Clark, Isreal Kincaid, Taylor Royal, Jordan Brown, Phoenix Cradler, Tywin Brown, Elijah, Caleb Christmas and Mark Christmas III, Jai De, Jr., Jaise, Justin and Jevin Johnson, Noah and Nikkell Brooks, Elias and Elianna Burton; sibling, Ramona Bryant (Walter); nephews, Alvertis Brooks, Sr. and Tony R. Brooks, Sr. and Bryan Bryant; special friends, Bernard Graham, James Woolfolk, Mclovely Brown, George Morris, Sr., Bob Henley and Ralph Hinton. Preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Brooks; parents, Willie Dell Green and Horace Brooks; siblings, Mary V. Wilson, Maxine Huston and Ellester Brooks; his in-laws, J.D. and George Ella Gillespie. The family expresses special thanks to Bernard Graham, Jerome Sangster, Lenard Riley III, Brian Matthews, Anthony Parker, Bishop Maurice Hopgood, the Bethel A.M.E. Church family, P.A.C.E. Program, Evans & Browne’s Funeral Home and staff. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Dennis Laffoon will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery 3210 S. Washington, Saginaw, MI 48601. Visitation will take place on Thursday at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home 441 N. Jefferson Ave. Saginaw, MI 48607 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Thelester Brooks

October 1, 1941 - December 30, 2024