James N. Brooks

James Nowell Brooks departed this life on January 14, 2025 peacefully at the Westmoreland Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Colonial Beach, Virginia.

James Nowell Brooks was born to the late Oscar Lyn Brooks and Deaconess Betty Coleman Brooks on June 22, 1945.

James attended the Westmoreland County Public School system in his youth. He was baptized and joined Siloam Baptist Church, Montross, Virginia at an early age.  Later in life he joined Jerusalem Baptist Church where he enjoyed playing lead guitar for the church men’s chorus and various choirs.  

James’ second home was at Stan’s Dairy Freeze in Montross where he enjoyed playing the Bonus Hole quarter game. His other favorite hobby was fishing at Eeel plant in Mt. Holly, Virginia.

James worked at Faunce Seafood for many years and then began working at Stratford Hall where he retired.  Throughout his work experience he worked for Charlotte and Daniel Hutt completing various jobs. Shortly after retirement, he continued working for Faunce Seafood shucking oysters and worked there until his health began to fail.  

James is predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Betty Brooks; wife Delores Brooks; brother, William Brooks; and late wife, Gail Ashton Brooks.

James leaves to cherish his sons, Jerome Ashton (Javornda ) of Lottsburg, VA and James “Semo” Ashton of Montross, VA; daughters: Stephanie Ashton of Montross, VA, Annette Grace of Fort Knox, KY, Carolyn Ball of Montross, VA, Barbara Layne (Randolph) of Champlain, VA, Mary Tate of Montross, VA, Amy Tate of Montross, VA, Nicole Smith (Percell) of Saint Stephens Church,VA, and Rita Tate of Montross, VA; grandchildren: Journey Ashton, Brandon Grace, John Ball Jr., Jarrell Ball, Dominique Layne, Jamal Layne, JaQuan Payne, DeRon Smith, J’Shawn Tate, and NyKira Beverly; five great grandchildren; brothers: Frank Brooks (Gloria) of Hague, VA, Stuart Brooks of Montross, VA, Thomas Muhammad (Elicia) of Washington,D.C., Melvin Brooks of Montross, VA, Samuel Brooks of Montross, VA, Harold Brooks of Tappahannock,VA, Wayne Brooks (Tameka) of Montross, VA;  sisters: Elizabeth Ashton of Montross, Va, Rachel Smith of Montross, VA, Marie Brooks of Warsaw, VA, Sandra Jones (Richard) of Montross, VA, Lethia Johnson (James) of Montross, VA; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service for James N. Brooks will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 11AM in the sanctuary of the Jerusalem Baptist Church, Hague, Virginia.

Interment will follow in the Brooks Family Cemetery, Montross, Virginia.

Remains may be viewed from 4PM until 6PM on Friday, January 31 in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME and from 10AM until service time on Saturday, February 1 at Jerusalem Baptist Church.

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