Etta Mae James Brooks, age 90, a native of Choctaw Bluff and a resident of Mobile was born March 4, 1921 to the late Claiborne James and Irene Jones James. Mrs. Brooks died April 30, 2011 at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. She was a member of Central Baptist Church of Mobile. A retired child day care aide, she found joy working with the preschoolers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jody Brooks; daughter, Joyce Brooks; one sister, Millie Mitchell; and five brothers, R.B. James, Claiborne James Jr., Sam James, Charlie James and George L. James.

Left to cherish her memories are three sons, Vincent LeCurtis Brooks of Dallas, Texas, James (Leisa) Brooks of Germany and Dwight (Robin) Brooks of Chesapeake, Va.; three daughters, Marzell Collins of Mobile, Lula Miles of Dallas and Artmease Harris of Bucks; four sisters, Dora McNeil of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mollie Payne and Fannie (Nathaniel) Johnson, both of Mobile, and Willie Nixon of Dallas; one brother, Eddie (Janet) James of Jackson; 21 grandchildren, 42 greatgrandchildren, 10 greatgreat grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Services will be Friday, May 6, 11 a.m., at the New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in the Choctaw Bluff community with the Rev. Hurley James, pastor, as officiating minister. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. As a courtesy of Andrews Funeral Home, you may visit www.viewobit.com, where you may leave a personally signed condolence to the James and Brooks families.