Geraldine Hayes

Geraldine Brooks Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Friend In Washington County, Mississippi, on March 25, 1950, the late James Brooks and Ruby Mae (Watts) Brooks (January 6, 1929 - February 8, 2011) birthed one of nine children. They named the child Geraldine Brooks. She was the second oldest of the nine siblings. At the time of Geraldine's birth, her father, James was a farmer (born in Robinsonville, Mississippi) and her mother Ruby, was a housewife (born in Tennessee).

Both parents preceded her in death. Her two sisters, Thelma Louise Brooks-Salone (August 8, 1956 - May 15, 2013) and Ethel Mae Chapple (September 6, 1951 - December 6, 2017), along with a brother US Marine Corps Cpl - Vietnam - Tommie Lee Brooks (February 12, 1955 - April 5, 1990), preceded her in death. Three brothers in-law preceded her in death, Robert Chapple (December 15, 1945 - February 28, 2002), Harry Phillip Gassoway (June 6, 1948 - August 2, 2007) and Ronell Salone (7/27/60 - 8/27/2012).

As a young child, Geraldine grew up on a farm in Mississippi. Her first job was picking cotton. Her big sister Doris recounts how she and Geraldine would have to pick cotton as children. She was a bit feisty, Doris recounted. However, she did as she was told to do. In her younger years, the family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. There, Geraldine attended school in the St. Louis Public School System. As she matriculated through school, Doris recalls numerous times when Geraldine and her sister Ethel would get in trouble for fighting at school which ultimately led to suspension. Geraldine was very close to her sister Ethel. They were like 'Thelma and Louise' and they often 'got in trouble' together. Mostly everything they did, they did it together. However, after countless 'talks' from her mother, she 'straightened up' real fast.

"Mother to All"
Geraldine was blessed with two biological children. On January 30, 1966, Tawanda Jean Brooks entered the world. This was Geraldine's only birth daughter. On January 12, 1967, Geraldine was blessed to have a son, whom she named Jerome J. Brooks. Although Geraldine was a biological mother, she also was a mother to all. That is, she has raised a number of her grandchildren as her own, including her grandsons, Carlos Jackson and Jaylen Bell. His

Story...25 Years of Love
"Everlasting Love...Til' Death Do Us Part"
Geraldine met the love of her life, Eric Dana Hayes. On August 16, 1997, the couple married. Geraldine was always his champion of hope, courage and strength. Eric faithfully held his vows to his wife until 'death did them part.' Together, they exemplified a love that has stood the test of time. Yet, they remained more in love than ever. As a result of this union, Geraldine was blessed with children who became part of her extended family.

"Career Woman"
Geraldine was hard-working with an excellent work ethic. She worked in the health care field for the State of Missouri - until she retired after many years of hard work and dedication.

"A Legacy of Love"
Eric was always Geraldine's champion of hope, courage and strength. Geraldine will forever be remembered by her family and friends and leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and dedicated husband of 25 years, Erica Dana Hayes, Cahokia, Illinois; her two children, Tawanda Jean Brooks, St, Louis, Mo. and Jerome J. Brooks, Rolla, Mo,; a special grandson she was raising as her own, Jaylen Bell; siblings, Doris Jean Gassoway, St. Louis, Mo.; James Brooks, St. Louis, Mo.; David (Pamela) Brooks, St. Louis, Mo.; Eugene (Leslie) Brooks, Chicago, Ill.; (Alisha (Ulysses) Brooks-Martin, St. Louis, Mo.; and special children she called her own, Sean (MaryAnn) Oliver, Sr., McKinney, TX; Erica (Fabian) Beverly, Springfield, Ill.; Latonya Hayes, Springfield, Ill,; Eric (Nicole) Hayes, Jr., Springfield, Ill.; Phillip Hayes, Springfield, Ill.; Monica Hayes, Springfield, Ill.; Melvin Hayes, Springfield, Ill.; and a host of grand-children, great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.