Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

November 2, 2021

     Charlotte, North Carolina – Patty Ann Frizzell Brooks

     Patty Brooks, 92, passed on November 2, 2021 at her home, following a gradual decline in her health. A native of Bristol, Tennessee, she was the eldest of two children to the late Patty Sumner Frizzell and Benjamin Milton Frizzell Sr.

     Patty grew up in Bristol, Tennessee and graduated from Bristol Tennessee High School in 1946. Upon graduation Patty attended Ward Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee and went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received a bachelor’s degree in Art.

     Though she did not choose to use her degree to establish a profession, Patty used her artistic talent in many ways to beautify the existence of friends and family. One of those ways was her prolific use of photography to memorialize all the events that fill life with fun, meaning, and joy. She never let anyone depart a celebration or gathering without a group shot and plenty of candids. Before the advent of camera phones her big satchel with Nikon camera and lots of film was just as essential as her purse. She always made sure to get plenty of prints to send to those who might want a lovely memory. And wherever Patty Brooks went, there were always lovely memories.

     Patty was married to Dr. William Lester Brooks, Jr. on June 16, 1950; a marriage blessed by God that endured until Lester’s death on January 14, 2012. Together they raised their three children, Janet, Bill, and Carter. Patty was the consummate doctor’s wife who made sure her husband’s busy life as a physician was orderly and nourishing when he walked in the door after a long day of work and before he went back out to do hospital visits. She kept the home fires burning with no complaint and lots of love. And she was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

     Patty had many outside interests and activities which included Junior League, a couple of book clubs, garden club, tennis, golf, and more. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to work in her yard, whether it was her flowering plants or her vegetable garden. There was always something rooting in her big kitchen window area where she looked out at her sprawling fig tree. Her Fig Berry Jam and homemade rolls became famous and were staples for Christmas gifts. Above all, everyone’s favorite at Patty’s house was her iced mint tea.

     Whether she was in an organization or not, Patty always served others. She had a giving spirit that absolutely glowed from her person and that is what most who knew her will remember. Her children, grandchildren, all family members and friends adored her. And even people who only met her briefly instinctively knew she was one of the sweetest people they would ever encounter. She carried herself with class and grace. The closest she ever came to inappropriate language was “Oh D!”

     “Nana” would not approve of this life summary unless we mentioned her other great passions. She formed incredible bonds with her companion dogs throughout her life. To observe those relationships was amazing. In addition, Patty, raised in the western foothills of the Appalachians, was really a simple mountain girl at heart. She loved to hike and relished the beauty and culture of the NC hill country. Finally, Patty was never a proud person, except about one accomplishment. She was an early adopter of city-wide recycling in Charlotte and volunteered for an early committee that helped adopt the curbside program that now exists. To her last days, she would frown if she saw cardboard, plastic or glass go in the wrong can.

     Patty is survived by her brother Benjamin (Ben) Milton Frizzell Jr, her daughter Janet Brooks Dudley (husband Johnny deceased), her son William (Bill) Lester Brooks III (Patty’s soul mate Jimmilea) and daughter Carter Brooks MacBain (George). “Nana” has six beloved grandchildren, Brooks Dudley, Jessica Tharp (Kyle), Hannah Brooks (Ryan), Sumner Weinstein (Bryan), Will MacBain (Meg) and Ben MacBain (Kaitlin). She is also survived by seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

     Her celebration of life will be Thursday, November 11, 11:00 am at Myers Park United Methodist Church.

     Remembrances can be made to: Crossnore Communities For Children, P.O. Box 249, Crossnore, NC (crossnore.org) and Roof Above, PO Box 31335, Charlotte, NC 28231     (roofabove.org)

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.