Susan Cassandra (Knight) Brooks

Mrs. Susan Knight Brooks, age 73 of Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Friday, August 11, 2023, at Sanford Health and Rehabilitation.

Reverend Susan Cassandra Knight Brooks, 73, of Sanford, North Carolina transitioned into eternal rest on Friday, August 11, 2023, at Sanford Health and Rehabilitation.

Reverend Knight-Brooks was born in Lee County, North Carolina.  She was the second of five children born to parents, Lonnie Knight, Sr. and Patience Taylor Knight, and the first of three daughters.  Her siblings included the oldest, Lonnie Knight, Jr.; sisters, Phyllis and LuAnn; and youngest brother, Tony. Although born in Lee County, Susan’s parents moved their family to Chatham County, North Carolina.  The legacies of the Knight and Taylor families in Chatham would propel this young family forward, over the years, to meet their own challenges and attain goals. First Missionary Baptist Church of Pittsboro, North Carolina would be the family’s church home for many years.

Susan graduated from Horton High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina in June of 1967.  She opted to go to The Job Corps in Illinois to earn an administrative credential.  Susan would be employed by the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  She was hired by the School of Education, Department of Educational Leadership in the position of Administrative Assistant.  Susan would be instrumental over the years in assisting faculty and students in attaining various leadership degrees and credentials. Susan would, herself, receive the highest call to service available to humankind; she was called into the Ministry for The Lord. 

On the day Susan was to preach her initial sermon, the entire front pews were filled with faculty and co-workers from the School of Education. At the end of this sermon, it was clear, she was on her true path, her road to ministry. Susan would enroll in Seminary at Shaw Divinity School; Master of Divinity to focus on specific aspects of the ministerial profession. 

Rev. Susan Knight met, fell in love with, and married Rev. Freeman Marvin Brooks.  They both concentrated on preaching the gospel to their respective congregations and became a powerful couple in service to the Lord. 

Rev. Susan Knight-Brooks served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Lincoln Blanding at First Missionary Baptist Church in Carthage for many years.  In later years, Dr. John Fuller, Jr. would be called to pastor First Missionary Baptist Church.  During her tenure at FMBC, she also served as Executive Pastor, Sunday School Teacher, and Bible Study Leader for Retirees; offering this ministry via conference call so that anyone seeking inclusion was able to participate in this Bible Study Conference Call.  Several other ministries she participated in include FMBC Chair, (Oratorical preparation of the youth) Easter and Christmas programs; she also served on the Black History board, Ole’ Fashion and Ministerial Alliance Vice President.  Most notable of her ministries was her service as Moderator of the Deep River Missionary Baptist Association.  She served two terms, the first and only female Moderator in the more than a century of history of the Deep River Missionary Baptist Association.  Rev. Knight-Brooks also served on the Scholarship Committee, a Committee established decades before to encourage academic excellence by Association members seeking higher education. Rev. Susan Knight-Brooks was fully committed to her service to the Lord. She and her husband, Freeman were vigilant in their food box delivery during COVID. 

Rev. Susan Knight-Brooks was faithful in her service.  Her all-encompassing love for the Lord gave her the strength she needed to serve in the many arenas she was called to.  Graceful in stature and lovely of countenance, she weathered life’s storms and answered its many calls, knowing when her “Tomorrow” came she would be ready. 

Rev. Susan Knight-Brooks was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie Knight, Sr. and Patience Taylor Knight, and her oldest brother, Lonnie Knight, Jr. (Darcy). 

She leaves to cherish sweet memories of her husband, Rev. Freeman Marvin Brooks; stepdaughters, Marvinia McCormick and Deloris Lee both of Sanford, NC, Sandra (Edward) Adams of Clayton, NC; sisters, Rev. Phyllis Knight Coates (George, deceased), of Greensboro, NC, LouAnn Knight Spinks (Michael), and brother Tony Knight (Annette) of Graham, NC. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and coworkers will recall the joy of having shared their lives with Susie Q.

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