James Euell Brooks

James Euell Brooks, age 82 of Chatham was born February 7, 1942 in Union Hall, Franklin County, VA. He passed away on July 25, 2024, at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. James was the son of James Edgar Brooks and Nena Brown Brooks, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by a sister, Neva Brooks Farris and a niece, Anne Farris Loomis.

James grew up and lived on his parents’ farm in Union Hall, helping to grow tobacco, grain, and livestock, until his marriage to Barbara Watson. They attended New Bethel Church of the Brethren, at Pullens before Covid. He was a cancer survivor from 2010.

James was employed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for 55 years in Franklin, Pittsylvania and Halifax Counties. He proudly served in the US Army for two years.

James was an amateur astronomer and enjoyed building bluebird houses to help bring back bluebirds to Pittsylvania County. He researched his family’s history/genealogy and contributed data to Find a Grave and Ancestry.com sites online. He loved his work with NRCS and helping farmers with conservation practices.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Barbara Watson Brooks, of the residence, a sister, Mamie Brooks Browning of Lebanon, TN and a brother, Edgar Clinton Brooks of Union Hall, VA in Franklin County, and several special nieces and nephews as well as Steve Watson, his brother-in-law.

Funeral services will take place at Norris Funeral Services, Chatham Chapel, South Main Street, Chatham, VA on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Pastor David Shumate, Steve Cassada, and Rev. James Perkins. Interment will follow the funeral service at Hillcrest Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 1:45 p.m., prior to the funeral service, also at the Chatham Chapel of Norris Funeral Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Bethel Church of the Brethren, 5636 Climax Rd., Chatham, VA 24531 or to the Climax Volunteer Fire Department, 875 Cooksburg Rd, Chatham, VA 24531, or to the charity of your choice.