Carol Ann Brooks

Carol Ann Brooks

December 24,1934 – December 9, 2022

Born in Peoria, Illinois to Harry and Mildred Ritzman. She grew up around the Peoria area with

her older brother Dr. Robert (Bob) Ritzman.

Carol met her future husband, Earl Brooks, at a church young singles event and were married a

little while later on August 13, 1955.

Carol spent several years as a homemaker and enjoyed equipping her two children.

As a young mom, she served as a 4-H leader and passed along her passion for sewing and

cooking.

After the kids grew some, she held various bookkeeping employment opportunities. In 1972

she and Earl moved to Minonk, IL from Peoria to own and operate a Western Auto Store. In the

late 70’s Carol later returned to bookkeeping and accepted a position as the head bookkeeper

working directly with the Superintendent of the Minonk-Dana-Rutland School system. She

enjoyed this work position most of all.

Carol and Earl always enjoyed spending time playing games with friends from church and

neighbors. After retirement, they left their life-long home state and moved to Mooresville, NC in

1996 and immediately fit right in at Mooresville First Baptist Church. They formed a group of 6

couples from church that met almost every week for 16 years to play dominoes. In 2016 they

moved to Virginia to be closer to family. Being passionate about playing bridge and making

friends, she became involved in two bridge groups in Lynchburg.

She loved to travel. Over the years, Earl and she went on numerous trips including a cruise in

Alaska and a trip to Hawaii. Carol’s dream of finally being a “Florida snowbird” became a reality

for them over parts of 2 recent winters. She also enjoyed reading novels and watching sports,

especially her 2 favorite teams; the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Carol had served in churches by teaching elementary Sunday school, doing mission work, and

singing in the choir. She trusted in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior early in her life and

leaned into her faith as she fought 2 separate bouts of cancer late in life. The 2nd cancer was

terminal and ended her earthly life. With her last breath here on earth, her very next breath was

in heaven where she met God face to face! She clung to God’s promise – God will wipe away

every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any

mourning, or crying or pain. (Revelation 21:4).

Carol is survived by Earl – her husband of 67 years, by her only sibling Bob Ritzman of

California, and her two children, Karen Benet (husband Jon) of Virginia, and Paul Brooks (wife

Julie) of Florida.

Carol enjoyed spending family celebrations with her 6 grandchildren; Danny Benet (wife

Michelle) of NC, Jennifer Mulch (husband Luke) CO, Stephanie Shipman (husband Randy) IL,

Molly Krug (husband Quinn) CO, Amanda Coleman (husband Dakota) CO, and Natalie

Obenchain (husband Justin) VA, and their 14 great grandchildren. She never imagined that

when she and Earl married they would have so many offspring! From oldest to youngest they

are, Rendan, Lydia, Charlotte, Kirsten, Solomon, Caden, Emma, Henry, Sloane, Olivia, Nora,

Victoria, Sadie and William.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the Centra Hospice team for their loving

care for Carol during her illness. Hospice was invaluable to our family over the last several

weeks of Carol’s life. Not only did they show great compassion but they were so patient,

knowledgeable and gave great support for us as well.

Thank you to all who have shared kind words of encouragement and many fond memories with

us, and for being here today to celebrate a special life.

We love you Carol, Mom, Grandma & Nana and look forward to being reunited with you one

day in heaven.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.