Isadora Brookins

Mrs. Isadora (Dora) Sharpe Brookins had an appreciation for life, a brilliant mind, great strength, a strong determination, and a great love for people. Most of all, she was truly grounded in her faith and her love for GOD. She could quote scripture in an instance and was always ready with a parable for any situation at any time. Many would wonder how she did it. She would just smile, give a short laugh and say "it was easy." Isadora was born to the late Wille and Mary Vales Sharpe on September 27, 1922 in the St. Matthews Community of Hazlehurst, Georgia. She was called Home on September 2, 2020. She was married to her childhood sweetheart for 65 years, Patrick Brookins. From their union were seven children of which two preceded them in death, Mary and James Arthur (Buddy). She was a lifelong member of St. Matthews A.M.E. Church where she was a choir member and steward for many years. She, along with three family members, sang in a quartet in the 60's. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for many years. She attended St. Matthews A.M.E. Elementary School through the highest grade (8th) where she was an excellent student, a whiz in math, reading, and writing. She was able to mentally compute complex numbers and had a remarkable memory. When she completed her class work, she began to assist the students who were in grades behind her. She could astonish people by saying her alphabets backwards until she was called to glory. One of her teachers wanted to send her to a school in Philadelphia to continue her education. However, she had to drop out to work on the family farm. When she married Patrick, she worked side by side with him on their family farm which included "chipping" trees and "dipping" tar. She also helped other farmers" putting in" tobacco, and picking cotton, while at the same time raising her children and sometimes keeping relatives' children for extended periods of time. She and her husband built a tobacco barn by hand. They cut down the pine trees, stripped the bark from the poles, and notched them so they would fit together. They also built a "pack house" where they stored tobacco and other crops as needed. She had a great love for all her family, friends, and children. She called her children and grands her "babies" no matter their age. She was funny, with quick wit, full of energy and always had time for children. Everyone has funny stories where she would challenge them in a thinking games, board games or riddles. She would usually win. Isadora seemed tireless and determined and full of strength. She participated in the efforts for voting rights and for local school desegregation. She was one of the women who persisted in integrating the kindergarten with her youngest child. At age 86 and age 90 when President Obama was first elected and then reelected, she sat up all night watching the election returns and was so amazed and pleased that she would see this in her lifetime. She truly valued and placed great emphasis on education and yearned for a high school diploma. While raising her children and her oldest daughter's children, she enrolled in GED classes, traveling a great distance to another town where she studied and received her high school diploma at the age of 65. She was very pleased to pass the exam on her first try. In her sixties, she got her first salaried job in a factory and enjoyed sewing life jackets for a few years. She was an excellent seamstress at home and at work. By age 19, she was sewing tailored suits that she made for herself and others. Last year when her 97th birthday was approaching, she said she wanted all of her family to come and line up so she could see them. With amazement and joy, she greeted almost a hundred family members who came from several cities in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Washington. Preceding her in Homegoing were her beloved husband Patrick Brookins; two children, Mary Wright and James Arthur "Buddy"; a grandson, David Everett Myles; her parents, Willie and Mary Vales Sharpe; her siblings: Viola Vales, Radie "Dillann" Vales, Ora Vales, Thomas Vales, Robert Vales, Clyde Sharpe and Ophelia Sharpe. She leaves a devoted family to cherish her memory: Children: Marion Ouphouet, Seattle, WA; Patricia (Paul) Maxwell, Indianapolis, IN; Jacquelyn (Milus) Burkett, Hazlehurst/Surrency, GA; Janice (James) Hall, Savannah, GA; Gwynette (Bernard) Clements, Lawrenceville, GA. Children of her deceased daughter Mary, that she raised as her own children: Wendy Fedrick, Hazlehurst, GA; Wanda Wright, Memphis, TN; Lynette Armstrong, Reidsville, GA; Patrick Stacy Wright (Tammy), Baxley, GA. Special son and daughter who she helped raise: Tommy (Rubye) McDew and Amy Jean McDew., Hazlehurst, GA. Grandchildren: Also, Paula Marcia Lynn Maxwell, Indianapolis, IN; LaTonja (Chris) Zackery, Dacula, GA; Tawana Clements and Sharee Clements, Lawrenceville, GA; Jené Hall and Jaron Hall, Savannah, GA; Amy Michele McDew, Baxley, GA; Christina McDew, Hazlehurst, GA. Eight great-grandchildren: Mary Alice Armstrong Johnson, Arizona; Patrick Armstrong, Utah; Shanee J. Clemons, Patrick (Scooter) Wright, Jr (Naomi), Traci Patricia Wright, and Stacy Patrick Wright, Baxley, GA; David Myles, Dacula, GA; Tamia Clements Lacrete, Lawrenceville, GA; Special Great Grand who she helped raised and was very close: Stephanie Fedrick, Jacksonville, FL. Great-great-grandchildren: Makia Johnson, Dalyric Flowers, Justin Johnson, James Clemons, Princeton Johnson, Bria Perkins, Alexander Armstrong, Heaven Emery Wright, Patrick Saint Wright. Sisters-in-law: Pauline Williams, Hazlehurst, GA and Lucile Sharpe, Hazlehurst, GA. Special Niece: Ruthie Mae Cobb, St Simons Island, GA; Special Great Nieces and Nephews: Rev. Claude Frank Cobb, Ruby Ann Jackson, Sherry Cobb Thompson. She had a particular fondness for her sisters' and brothers' children and grandchildren as well as the children of her husband's sisters and brothers. A very Special Cousin and Friend: Henrietta Wolf. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.