George F. Brooks

George Francis Brooks was born May 23, 1935 in the “Black Bottom” neighborhood (once a prominent African American business district) in Detroit, MI. to parents, Luke and Anna Brooks. George was the fifth of eight children and the third male child. He is survived by his youngest sister Agnes Whitfield.

George attended Sacred Heart Elementary School from grades one to six. He then attended Bishop Elementary for grades seventh and eighth. At Bishop Elementary, despite his rebellious behavior, he was guided by Mr. Ginsberg, Mr. Coate, and Mr. Billups who made it possible for him to attend high school. After the eighth grade, George attended Miller High School (1949-53) graduating Cum Laude. Thanks to teachers, such as Mrs. Vivian Lewis Brown, who encouraged him to change from general studies to college prep, George excelled in high school. Highlighting his high school achievements: he was the vice-president of the June 1953 graduating class; he received varsity letters in basketball, football, and track; and he earned All-City Honorable mentions from the local newspapers. He played for legendary coach, Will Robinson, who was like a surrogate father and taught him desire fortitude, dependability, and persistence. Coach Leroy Dues also provided valuable consultation and guidance. He also earned National Honor Society recognition and participated in various other school clubs. George was awarded two scholarships, Michigan Chronicle’s Scholarship and Michigan State College Scholarship (later known as Michigan State University) for athletics-track and field.

In September 1953, George enrolled at MSU and completed his freshman year. In December 1954, he was drafted into the United States Army and served two years mostly in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1956. George returned to Michigan State University in September 1957. He majored in Social Studies and Secondary Education. During the fall of 1959, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Delta Pi Chapter, and he and his line brother, Dalton Roberson, crossed the Sands together that year. He graduated from MSU in 1960 with a BA degree in Social Science and Secondary Education. He continued studying at MSU, earning a MA degree in in Guidance and Counseling in August 1962. While studying at MSU, George worked fulltime at the Boys Vocational School in Lansing, MI from 1958-1961. In addition, he became the first minority to complete his student teaching requirements at Central High School in Dowagiac, MI.

George returned to Detroit in 1962 and was hired by the Detroit Board of Education as a teacher at the Spain Junior High School. It was during this time he met the beautiful and brilliant Neddra Lee Robinson from Newellton, Louisiana, who had come to Detroit to visit her oldest brother Willie (Bill) Robinson. After a romantic courtship, George and Neddra were married on July 18, 1964. From this union, they had daughter Lillian Rene’ Brooks and son Jason Robinson Brooks.

George’s career advanced when he was transferred to Miller Junior High School in 1965 but left in 1966 after a promotion to counselor at McDowell Elementary. George left McDowell in In January 1968, and served as counselor at Mackenzie High School until March 1969. In January 1971, George returned to graduate studies and earned an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree from Wayne State University. He studied graduate courses at University of Detroit and Madonna College. He also participated in numerous educational seminars, workshops, continuing educational programs during his many years of employment with the Detroit Board of Education.

After completing his Ed.S degree, he was assigned to Murray-Wright High School as the acting Guidance Department Head. In September 1973, he was assigned to the NYC (Neighborhood Youth Corp) as a counselor at Northeastern High School. He served in that position until February 1977, when he was promoted to Guidance Department Head at Finney High School. In 1978, George transferred to Henry Ford High School as Department Head of Guidance and Counseling. He also worked as evening administrator for Wayne County Community College Program. He continued there until March 1984 when he was promoted to Assistant Principal of the Deby High School Day Program. In 1988, George served the Detroit Public Schools Adult Education programs at Hope, Ruddiman, and Bushnell sites. In 1993, he became the Chief Administrator of the GED (General Education Development) program where he served as Chief Examiner until his retirement in July 1997.

George was a life member of the NAACP and served diligently as a member of the Sip-In committee for 25 years helping raise over a half-million dollars for the Detroit chapter. He served as chairman and co-chairman of the Miller High School Crystal Awards Program where he led the planning of the annual awards banquet. He was involved in many activates to support his children, such as den parent for the Cub Scouts of America, West Seven Little league baseball coach, and dad participant for Jack and Jill of America, Inc. George was also a member of Gesu Catholic Church where he served as an Alter Acolyte and member of the Gesu Men’s Group. When Neddra L. Brooks passed away on July 8, 2014, George and Neddra had been married 49 years, just 10 days short of their 50th anniversary. Neddra was truly his better half and life partner. He loved and cared for Neddra in sickness and in health, and they enjoyed many happy years of travel and good times with friends Lillian and Frank Boyd, Juanita and James Bradley, Ann and Dickie Pace, and family, Bill and Myrtle Robinson, Thelma and Leon Robinson, Mary and John Green, Linda and Harold Brooks, and many others.
George F. Brooks is survived by his youngest sister Agnes Whitfield, daughter Dr. Lillian R. Brooks, son Dr. Jason R. Brooks, and daughter in-law Deanna G. Brooks, and many nieces and nephews.

Flowers are welcomed , but donations to the Gesu Catholic School’s Angel Fund are preferred. Please send checks to Gesu School with The Angel Fund-George Brooks in the memo line. Thank you.