Gene Terrell Brooks

Mr. Gene Terrell Brooks of Pittsboro passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 85 after a brief illness. A resident of Pittsboro for over 60 years, Gene was a historian and retired history teacher. He was also an active member of the Pittsboro Masonic Lodge. An avid outdoorsman, Gene looked forward to the opening of quail season every year and cared deeply about maintaining wild lands. He also loved his hunting dogs, once burying his beloved Brittany Spaniel Gus with his hunting jacket so that Gus could find his way home.

Mr. Brooks was born in Sanford, NC, to the late Jean Leavitt Brooks and Frank Brooks. He finished high school in Albemarle, NC, attended Campbell University, and graduated from East Carolina University. He began a teaching career in Pittsboro in 1962 at Pittsboro High School, retiring from Northwood in 1991.

He was proud to have served on the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners for 25 years, caring deeply about his community. Mr. Brooks’s heritage in Chatham County can be traced back seven generations to Isaac Brooks, who settled near Siler City around 1750 where a home site historical building and marker remain.

Mr. Brooks was passionate about history and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of Chatham County with the community. He once said, “I wish more people would understand that real history is complex and…complicated, just like people. We’re all flawed individuals. I wish we could spend more time honoring people for the goodness they did along the way.”

He was a member of the Pittsboro United Methodist Church.

Mr. Brooks was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Stowe Brooks in 1991.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Crabtree Brooks. He is also survived by his children Michael Brooks (Marybeth); Angela Brooks Everitt (Paul); William T. Brooks (Renee); and by stepdaughter Catherine Thompkins (Bryan). He is survived by four grandchildren: Dillon and Aliyah Brooks; Mary Ellen Thompkins, and Brooks Michael Everitt.

The family will receive friends at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Griffin Chapel on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 5:00PM-7:00PM. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 11:00AM at Pittsboro United Methodist Church with Rev. Ray Gooch and Rev. Lucas Nelson presiding.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Brooks family.