WINNSBORO – James Pope “Buddy” Brooks Jr. died peacefully on June 4, 2015 after a year-long battle with cancer. Buddy was born Nov. 3, 1935 in the Bethel Community of Fairfield County to the late James Pope “Bud” Brooks Sr. and the late Alice Willingham Brooks. He was predeceased by Mary Alice Crawford Brooks, his beloved wife of almost 50 years; his adored daughter, Julie Brooks Hall; and his sister, Annette Brooks Cathcart.
Grandson, James Garrett Hall, held a special place in Buddy’s heart. Buddy delighted in all of Garrett’s accomplishments including his years at Cardinal Newman, his graduation from The Citadel and his professional success.
In 2005, Buddy had the good fortune to be introduced to Betty “Cookie” Gross, and they were married in 2006. With this union, he gained a step-son, Ty Campbell and his wife Michelle, and two more precious grandchildren, Peyton and Will Campbell.
A graduate of Greenbrier High School in 1953, Buddy was an outstanding athlete and was named to the All-State Basketball Team his senior year. He received a full basketball scholarship to the University of South Carolina and attended his freshman year; however, his heart was in Winnsboro, where he soon joined his father and uncle as a third-generation stone cutter in the family business. Pigeon Granite Company was started in the early 1930s and closed in 1997 upon his retirement. Buddy was well respected by his peers in the industry, creating monuments that traveled as far north as New York and as far west as Texas, including the monument to former South Carolina Governor Robert McNair, located on the State House grounds.
Buddy had a great love for his family and friends. He was a lifelong and active member of Bethel United Methodist Church in the Bethel Community of Fairfield County where he served on the Administrative Board and taught Sunday school there for many years. His civic contributions include Boy Scout Troop Leader, past Chairman of the Fairfield County Republican Party and of the Board of Directors for the Fairfield Hospital, member of the Board of Directors for Richard Winn Academy and the Winnsboro Cotillion, and past President of the Board of Fairfield Country Club, where he was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending Wednesdays and Saturdays with his golfing friends.
A consummate Southern gentleman, Buddy never met a stranger. Besides golfing, he enjoyed Clemson football, shag dancing, reading, sharing a good joke, fried chicken, corn and tomatoes from his bountiful garden, sweet tea and banana pudding.
Survivors are his wife, Cookie Brooks; his daughter, Lisa Marie Brooks; grandchildren, Garrett Hall, Peyton Campbell and Will Campbell; son-in-law, Bruce Hall; step-son, Ty Campbell (Michelle); brother, John Joseph Brooks and wife, Jane Castles Brooks; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Betty Crawford Moore, Joyce Crawford Raley, Chuck and Dottie Ingram and Tom and Nancy Cobb and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Buddy’s family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the many friends who have blessed them through their actions and prayers, and special thanks to the doctors and staff at South Carolina Oncology Associates, to the nurses and Hospice staff at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital and to friend and personal physician, Dr. Roger Gaddy.
The family received visitors on Saturday, June 6, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Bethel United Methodist Church, 6688 State Highway 269, Winnsboro, S.C., with refreshments following in the Fellowship Hall. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Alice L. Deal on Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m., also at the church. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church.
Pope Funeral Home is assisting the Brooks family.
Online condolences can be sent to the Brooks family at www.popefuneralhomesc.com.
