Carol (Thomas) Brooks

Carol Brooks was born in July 1941 in Auburn, Illinois, to Pauline (Russell) and Edgar Thomas. She passed away on March 24, 2026, in Harrisburg, Illinois, her final days spent surrounded by loved ones. Carol was raised in Enfield, Illinois, alongside her three brothers and sister, where she lived until 1959. At 19 years old, she met Dewey Othello Brooks, and the two were married in 1960 in a ceremony held in the home of Reverend Fred Reed in Mill Shoals, Illinois. They lived briefly in Chandler, Indiana, before settling in St. Charles, Missouri, where they built a home and spent nearly 18 years in the Mark Twain II neighborhood. During her time in Missouri, Carol planned patio parties and weddings for members of her church, volunteered at a well-baby clinic, and took ceramics classes. In 1977, Carol and Dewey returned to Southern Illinois, where they owned and operated Dewey’s Processing, a slaughterhouse in the Parish Addition of Eldorado. Carol later lived on Franklin Street in Eldorado for 35 years. She worked as a clerk at Dollar General and as a housekeeper for Pan and Lou Beck, as well as June and Dr. Andrew Cserny. At nearly 50 years old, she attended Southeastern Illinois College, where she made new friends and earned her GED. Carol was a devoted, lifelong friend to Flora Beth Lampert, Linda Genet, Willie Allen, Victoria Elmore, and many others. She wore a ring on every finger and loved a big hat. She cried when she was happy, and she cried often. She never wore blue jeans and never had a driver’s license, walking nearly everywhere she went for decades. She loved to dance and gather with her family. She is survived by her beloved daughter and son, Paula France (Willie) and Russell Brooks (Christie); her precious grandchildren, Chris Dennis and Monica Dennis; her great-grandchildren, Zaden Dennis, Trenton Swaggirt, Emileigh Swaggirt, and Xavier and Gabriel Rogers; and her cherished brothers, Richard Thomas (Connie) and Darrell Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Dewey Brooks; her sister, Kay Willoughby; and her brother, Gary Thomas. Carol was endlessly kind and always talkative, someone who greeted nearly every stranger. Her loved ones will remember her for always telling others how beautiful, important, and special they are. She often claimed to have invented the phrase, “Have a nice day,” and for those who knew her, it certainly felt true. Her family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.