Wanda Sue Brooks

Wanda Sue Brooks, 85, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Family and friends will gather for visitation, Friday, July 4th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco. A service celebrating Wanda’s life, her faith and her commitment to her community will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 5th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Burial will follow at China Spring Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband of over 54 years, James Brooks. Pallbearers will be Josh Cole, John Paul Middleton, Chad Tubbs, Cody Tubbs, Brian Bolfing, CJ Rindos, Dennis William Cheyne, and Danny Burnett.

Wanda, a native of the China Spring and Waco area was born September 25, 1939 to the late John Patterson and Lola Mae Ferguson Cross. Wanda spent her life in the Waco area serving the community for over 30 years as the Distribution Center Manager at the Red Cross, retiring in the late ‘80’s. Her daughters can remember spending countless hours at the Red Cross with their mother on numerous holidays to make sure all the distributions were on schedule. Wanda married James “Snooky” Brooks in 1960, together they built a wonderful family and served their community. They enjoyed traveling, especially down to the Galveston Coast every summer, making a special stop on the way home at the Salado Inn. After her retirement, Wanda continued to serve the area as a Real Estate Agent for Bruce Realtors and Bentwood Realtors. She was influential in her memberships to the Ladies Axillary of the Waco Fire Department, The Daughters of the Confederate, and The Red Hat Society. After James’ death in 2014 she continued her love of travel and flare for gambling. Wanda enjoyed trips to Winstar and of course Las Vegas. Wanda loved fiercely and with passion. She was strong in her protective nature of those she cared about and every one was “Darlin”. Her family and friends will cherish the gatherings at “Nanas” that always included a rich supply of food and love.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lola Cross; her brother and sister-in-law, John and Helen Cross; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruby Fae and Eddie Parsons, Ima Jean and Ralph Patrick, and Joyce and Dan Thiele; her granddaughter, Lindsay Christen Holle; and her husband of over 54 years, James Brooks.

Wanda leaves to cherish her memory and continue her acts of love and service her daughters, Dolores Brooks and Sharon Montigny and her husband, Dwayne; her grandson, Josh Cole and his wife, Lacy; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other loving family members.

Those wishing to make memorial donations in Wanda’s honor should do so to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

Wanda’s family invites you to share a memory or a message on her online “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.