Arnold Lee Brooks

Arnold Lee Brooks, son of Samuel Brooks and Lillie Mae Conaway, was born in Baltimore, MD on December 26, 1948. He passed away on May 4, 2021. Arnold was the loving husband of Ruby Ann (Webster) and the proud father of Corey (wife, Chelsea) and Adrienne Brooks. As a child Arnold grew up on west Fayette street in Baltimore City. Arnold had a fondness for building gokarts and utilizing tools to build other structures that mixed with his imagination was used to enhance his playtime and the playtime of other kids with him. Along with building go-karts, Arnold enjoyed having a home-built pigeon coup. Half of his time was spent with his much-loved family in Lancaster County Virginia. This included his aunts, cousins and his grandmother. Arnold spent a lot of time outdoors, exploring the neighborhood and learned how to drive at the young age of 13. In the summer of 1960, Arnold, his sister Mary “Cookie”, a few of the neighborhood kids, decided they would dedicate their live to Christ at Central Baptist church, where he was also baptized. In 1968 Arnold graduated from the Woodrow Wilson Vocational High School. It was here that Arnold learned the skills which led to his thirty-five years as an electrician with the City of Baltimore. Later in 1968, Arnold enlisted in the U.S. Airforce and served as a working dog handler with Air Force Security Forces. He fought and served with the 377th Security Police Squadron in Tan Son Nhut Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force Facility, located near the city of Saigon in South Vietnam. Along with the Airforce Commendation Medal for Honorable Service, Arnold was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, other citations, and honors. Within a year of returning from his service in Vietnam, he was introduced to the love of his life Ruby Ann Webster, by her lifelong friend Rhonda. They were instantly connected and began spending all their free time together. Arnold would often be at Ruby’s house from sunup to sundown, talking and laughing with Ruby and her family with whom he built an excellent relationship. While dating, Ruby and Arnold would always be accompanied by Ruby’s younger sister Karen. Arnold and Ruby were married on July 26, 1975 surrounded by friends and loved ones. Within a year, they welcomed their son, Corey Antione and the year after their daughter, Adrienne Nicole. Arnold spent many summers driving his family and their friends on summer vacations to theme parks,and beaches. He especially enjoyed driving to Lancaster County Virginia, where they spent time with his family and loved ones that he grew up under. Arnold looked forward to and enjoyed vacations with his family. He was often captured on theme park rides and playing at the beach splashing water on his kids and his wife. As Arnold’s children began to grow, the younger generation of nieces, nephews and cousins were drawn to Arnold’s affection and love; and Arnold, known to them as the young old man, invited them with open arms. Faith being a central part of who Arnold was, he along with his family joined Christian Life Church under the leadership of Pastor J. Luther Carroll. Arnold quickly became a beloved member of the church joining the Maranatha Choir, Men’s Committee, Men’s Choir, Voices of Life and later the Seasoned Saints. Up until the Lord called Arnold home, he was still an active participant with the Men’s weekly bible study. Many things in life brought Arnold joy. Listening to music, singing, cooking for his family and researching his former military life was important, but his love of raising his fur babies; Jack (named after his childhood dog) Poodles, Pepsi, Payton and now Prince was the highlight of his life. Arnold never forgot the most important person in his life. Placing his wife first, Arnold enjoyed dating his wife and treating her like the queen she is. It was nothing for Arnold to jump in his car and drive from Baltimore to Hampton, VA to the Hampton Jazz Festival, to Pennsylvania for lunch, to Western Maryland for a couple’s vacation in the mountains, weekends away with friends and later aboard cruise ships sailing the Caribbean Seas. Even amid living with cancer, surviving a stroke, suffering with several mini stokes, and other medical ailments, Arnold never complained. He always had a song in his heart, a smile on his face and a laugh that could make the coldest heart melt. Even when he was hospitalized, Arnold’s laugh could be heard before entering his hospital room. Arnold’s laugh, positive outlook and smile will be the one thing that will be missed the most. Arnold leaves to Celebrate his life, Ruby the love of his life, son Corey and his family, Chelsea, Jahleel and Jacob; one daughter Adrienne and her partner Stanley; sister Mary (Cookie); 1st Cousin Beverly and her son Anthony Hill (Chiah) with his beautiful wife, Hanadi, and two boys; aunt Earnestine; Brother-inlaws Jerry and Sharon their two boys (Jesse and Justin) and four daughters (Jameka, Katrina, Latrina, & Jessica); Jimmy and his beautiful wife Donna, their two daughters (Stephanie and Jamie) and five grand babies; Daryl with his lovely daughter (Paige) and grand baby; and Sister-in-law Karen and her Husband Melvin their daughter (Morgan) and her two boys and one daughter; and a host of other family and friends. We thank God for the part Arnold played in our lives and the lessons we learned from his persevering spirit. We will miss him dearly.

Tributes

Arnold Lee Brooks

December 26, 1948 - May 4, 2021