© The Bakersfield Californian
Friday, 20 December 2007
Rita [Loddy] Brooks
1912 - 2007
Rita Brooks, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, successfully completed her life~long journey of faith on December 17, 2007, being ushered into the presence of her loving Lord, at the age of 96.
Rita was born on September 8, 1912, in Albuquerque, New Mexico the 2nd of 7 children born to Gavina Valencia Loddy and Charles Loddy.
In 1928 she met and fell in love with Horace Brooks. In 1930 they were married and enjoyed 56 blessed years together before his death in 1986. In 1943 Rita and Horace moved to Wasco, CA where they raised their 7 children.
While in Wasco they owned and operated Brooks and Sons Lumber Yard. Rita also worked at McClure's Drug Store, Keith's Dress Shop, and Peter Pan's, a store specializing in children's clothing.
In a period when interpreters were difficult to find, Rita would often be called on by Bank of America to interpret for their Spanish speaking customers.
In 1967~68 they moved with their youngest daughter, Velma, to Alaska, where Horace had been recruited to help build homes.
In 1977, Rita and Horace moved to Bakersfield where they would spend the rest of their lives.
Rita especially loved traveling with the Traveling Bells, was an oracle for Royal Neighbors of America, an honorary member of the Teamsters retirees, and had been active in the Boy Scouts with her sons.
She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield, especially enjoying breakfasts at Lorene's with the "Prime Timers Group".
Rita was deeply committed to her family and was always up for family fun. She enjoyed at home "tailgate parties" with her son~in~law Ken, watching football, or her favorite basketball team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
She loved to garden and nurture flowers in her beautiful yard.
At 95 she passed her most recent driver's test and was always ready for a road trip with her granddaughter Cindy. Her most recent birthdays included riding on the back of a Harley and parties with more than 100 family members and friends. She lived life to the fullest, giving all who knew her a living object lesson of faith and love in action.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Brooks, and two sons, Chester Brooks, and Elmer Brooks.
She is survived by a brother, Vidal Loddy of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son, Milo Brooks and wife, Mary of Bakersfield; daughter, Esther Pellett and husband, Frank of Tulelake, California; son, Bert Brooks of Bakersfield; daughter, Lulabelle McCullen and husband, Mac of Bakersfield; daughter, Velma Myers and husband, Ken of Wasco, California; 2 special daughters~in~law, Monica Brooks of Bakersfield, and Sara Brooks of Mission, Texas; 19 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 17 great great grandchildren; and a host of beloved family and friends.
A graveside service will be held on Friday December 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield with a reception to follow at First Church of the Nazarene.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 2801 Hughes Lane, Bakersfield, CA, 93304, or to the Florence Wheeler Cancer Center, 2215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Rita Brooks, Sept. 8, 1912 ~ Dec. 17, 2007