James Marvin Brooks

James Marvin Brooks, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Born on August 18, 1937, in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, James lived a life full of love, service, and dedication to his family and community. James was the cherished son of Jimmie Brooks Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Jenkins, who both preceded him in death. He now joins them, along with his eldest son and youngest daughter, in eternal life. His legacy, however, lives on through his surviving family: his devoted second wife, Deloris; his son, James Brooks Jr.; his daughter, Bertha Hayes; his grandchildren, Sharif and Walter Brooks and Benica (Mario) Stewart, Elaine Johnson (Jonas) and Yvette Brooks, Alexander (Brittany), and Cedrick (Laquiesha) Brooks; and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. James was a proud graduate of Shawn High School, class of 1955, where he not only met his first love, Hazel, but also formed a lifelong friendship with Derrick Hayes. Hazel and James married in Detroit, Michigan, in 1957 and together raised three wonderful children until her passing in 2001. In 2005, James found love again with Deloris Knight, and they married later that year, sharing many happy years together. A man of service, James dedicated part of his life to the United States Army, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1978. Following his military service, he pursued a career in carpentry, a skill he honed and shared with his community. His small repair shop, which he owned until 2002, left an indelible mark on Cook County, with his craftsmanship visible in many homes and structures to this day. James was a pillar of his community, deeply involved with the Greater East Bethel Baptist Church, where he served faithfully on the Deacon Board for over 40 years. His passion for helping others was evident in his founding of a club for fathers called A Father's Love, which began with just three men and grew to support over 30 fathers, aiding them in navigating the challenges of parenthood and life. A man of many talents and interests, James loved to play dominoes and his passion for carpentry was evident not only in his work but in the joy he found in creating and building. His warm smile and kind words impacted all who had the pleasure of crossing his path. He instilled the importance of hard work and family values in his children, leaving a legacy of integrity and love. The family of James Marvin Brooks invites you to celebrate his life at a service to be held on June 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Greater East Bethel Baptist Church, located at 8734 Monument Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60706. In this time of remembrance, the family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you all for coming out to celebrate the life of James Marvin Brooks." James will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and the community he served so well.