Helen Faye Brooks

A walk-thru viewing on Tuesday,  February 23, 2021  from 5pm-7pm at Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary. Services are Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church at 12:00 Noon.

Helen Faye Elston-Brooks was the fourth child born in Dallas, Texas to the proud parents Samuel Evans Elston and Lela Mae Johnson-Elston on October 7, 1922. She was graciously welcomed by her brother Leonard David Elston (2004), Dorothy Ray (2000), and Lelya M. Helen went home to Glory on Sunday morning, February 7, 2021. Helen was four years old, when the family moved to Richardson, Texas. Helen and Lelya Mae were not school age but were too young to attend school but were permitted to go to school with David and Dorothy. They were excited about this arrangement; Leyla Mae was the babysitter. When the family relocated to Dallas, Helen attended Pacific Avenue Elementary School in first grade, and continued
elementary studies at Julius C. Frazier Elementary School. She attended Booker T Washington High School which was the only high school for Black students, at that time. In 1939, Abraham Lincoln High School opened for Black students and Helen was a student of the first graduating class in 1940. Helen and family attended St Mark Baptist Church and at age 7, Helen was baptized. She was active in Sunday School, Starlight Band, and a member of the Children’s Quartet. The family moved and united at Bethlehem Baptist Church where she actively participated in BYPU, and the Children’s Choir. Prior to locating to California in 1962, Helen and her family were active members at Munger Avenue Baptist Church where she sang in the Congregational Choir, member of the Young Women’s Auxiliary, and BYPU. She loved participating in the church plays where she acted in pivotal roles. As a young woman, prior to marriage, Helen worked as a Typesetter for the Dallas Gazette in Dallas, Texas and Joseph Owens Print Shop. In May 1942, she married the love of her life, Leon Douglas Brooks Sr. To this union, four beautiful children were born, Leon Douglas Jr., Charles Michael, Faye Helen, and Carolyn Joyce. Leon Sr. passed in December 1971. Helen loved helping people and made the decision to enter the nursing profession. She attended the Dallas Vocational School of Nursing and in 1958 and graduated at the top of her class as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Her first employment assignment was for four (4) years at St. Paul’s Hospital, Dallas, Texas.

In 1962, Helen and family relocated to San Diego, California. She immediately commenced her employment in 1962 as an LVN at Mercy Hospital and stayed there for six and a half years. Helen sought better employment with suitable hours and an opportunity to spend more quality time with her daughters and moved on to U.S. Public Health in 1968 until early retirement in 1980 as a result of a back injury.

In August 1962, Helen, Faye, and Carolyn united with Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Charles H. Hampton and current leadership Dr. John Ringgold. She was a member of the Jr. and Sr. High Fellowships Senior, Choir, Vacation Bible School, Pearl Frye Mission Circle, and Nurses Ministry. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. --Prov 31:10 In 1984, she became an active member of the San Diego Black Nurses, Inc., serving in several capacities. Helen was a devoted mother, grand, and great-grandmother, and great-grandmother, who always put their needs before her own. She always instilled Christian morals, and values in her children and others. Her love and care was present in good and rough times. She loved reciting scriptures from the Bible. Thank you Lois and Marsha (Mom’s Caretaker) for taking care of our mother. Thank you Mrs. Yarborough for your unconditional love shown to Mom, your daily telephone calls and inviting her to visit with you at your home, Mrs. Donna Richardson, Mom enjoyed your calls to check on her often. Thank you to all who remained in touch with our Mom.

Helen is survived by her four children, Leon Brooks, Jr., Charles Michael (Clara), Faye Helen (Larry), and Carolyn Joyce, sister Lelya Mae Sampson, grandchildren, Alycia Ballou (Gary), Julia Diane Whitley- Larsen (Michael), Leon Brooks III, Traza, Jabari (Nyshema), Eric Shakir (Chalae), Jamal (Natalie), Rashaad Brooks-Provost (Clara), sixteen great-grand children, and three great-great grandchildren, niece Evelyn Elston-Olier (niece), nephew Harry J. Elston (Yukari), Cashalla Bowens and family in Dallas and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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