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Mr. Vendell Gasaway Brooks, age 76, of Sanford, transitioned into eternal rest, Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance, Burlington, NC.
Vendell Gasaway Brooks was born October 17th, 1944 in King George, Virginia to the late Ada Scranage and William McKinnley Brooks, Sr. He attended Walker Grant High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia where he varsity lettered in both football and basketball. Vendell was jack of all trades and master of none. In his early years of vocation, he lived with his brother William Jr. in California where worked as Electrician apprentice. He would later move back to the east coast of Virginia where he would meet his wife of over 50 years, Joan Lassiter Brooks. He spent the next 30 years working in the field of custodial work and it began in the early 80’s in Chapel Hill, NC as he was a custodian at Carmichael Facilities on the campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Vendell would often remind people that he knew Michael Jordan before he was Michael Jordan. He would soon become a resident of Sanford, NC where he would work for the Lee County Public Schools for the next 20 years. After retirement from LCPS, he finished working part time between McDonalds corporation as well as Wilkinson Cadillac, both in maintenance and custodial services. One of Vendell ‘s proudest moments was being recognized in the Sanford Herald for best small business/cleaning services in 2007. He would often say ”If you can’t clean a toilet, you can’t lead a people; if you can’t serve, you can’t lead.”
As much pride as Vendell took in his working and providing for his family, he had an equally and even more invested calling and that was for preaching the word of God. Vendell was called to preach at an early age of 24 and was first ordained into ministry in 1968 in Triangle, Virginia. He would be licensed to preach under the leadership of then Pastor now Apostle Halvester Gupton of the then Zion Hill United Church of Christ and later Faith Victory and Freedom Cathedral Ministries in 1985 where he operated as Reverend. Years later He was given the title and honor of Elder and served in this capacity for many years and most recently in the same capacity as a proud member of Exousia Christian Fellowship Inc. under the leadership of Pastor Steve L. Chesney, PhD(C), MBA. Elder Vendell G. Brooks preached the word of God for over 50 years and did so until his last days even on his death bed on Friday, March 19th, giving one final sermon in his hospital room in Chapel Hill surrounded by his natural sons, John and Vendell Daniel as well as two of his sons in Christ in Pastors Al Smith and Steve Chesney.
Elder Vendell G. Brooks ascended into his Father’s house in Heaven on Tuesday March 23, 2021. He was preceded in death by his mother Ada Scranage and his father William McKinley Brooks, Sr and his sister Virginia Mae Mc Michaels. He leaves behind a Wife, Joan Lassiter Brooks. Two Sons, John Thomas Brooks, Sr. and Vendell Daniel Brooks (Jamara). A Brother William McKinley Brooks, Jr. (Lutissue). A sister in law, Thelma Jean Coggins (Bobby), Nieces- Carol Denise Tarlough, Trina Moses, Veronica Brooks-White, Ellaceleste Beatrice Brooks-Hancock. Nephews, Eric Christopher Lassiter and Rashaad Ladel Brooks. Grandsons, John Thomas Brooks, Sr, Aaron Edward Petty, Noah Jordan Brooks. Granddaughters Sierra Brooks and Layla Camille Lyons. In addition to a host of great nieces and nephews and great- great nieces and nephews, Elder Vendell had a host of spiritual sons and daughters most notably Brookie Brewington, Beatrice Smith, Michelle McNeil, Al Smith, Steve Chesney and James Hall.
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