Shirley Mary Brooks

July 3, 1936 – March 29, 2026

Shirley Mary Brooks, age 89, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Services for Mrs. Brooks will be held Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., in the Cadwell Chapel of Cox-Ivey Funeral Home. Mr. Kevin Dowdy will officiate. Shirley will be buried in a private family service in Oak City Cemetery. The family will receive friends before the service on Thursday, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Shirley Mary Gremillion was born July 3, 1936, in Marksville, Louisiana, to Albert Conroy Gremillion and Luby Ducote Gremillion. She grew up in the Cajun country of central Louisiana. She did not speak, read, or understand English until first grade, toiling with what she thought was a difficult language. Today, Cajuns are a dying breed. Shirley met and married Jimmy Edward Brooks. In later years, they moved to South Georgia. It took Shirley 10 years to get used to living in Georgia. She loved to go crawfishing in the creek and really missed the Cajun food. She remembered her grandmother, who raised her, telling her stories and fairy tales in French – some she had never seen in books. Another tradition was an egg-knocking contest, exclusive to the central Louisiana area at Easter. She loved and missed her hometown but chose to stay in Georgia to be near her children that she so dearly loved. Shirley was loved by everyone that ever met her. She was beautiful from the inside out. She was very smart and very, very talented. She could paint and decorate, make her own clothes, and grow beautiful flowers. She loved to go shopping and knew how to look like a million bucks! She stayed up with all the news and remembered everything she ever read. Shirley worked at First National Bank in Bainbridge for 23 years. She also worked 23 years for Bainbridge Public Safety. She enjoyed her job and loved the people. She was a member of Open Arms Ministries and enjoyed volunteering for the Salvation Army. Shirley loved jigsaw and crossword puzzles and animals. She would speak French to her chicks, and they would follow her everywhere. She was full of personality and full of love for all, especially her family. She will be deeply missed.

Shirley Brooks is survived by her children, Kim Brooks (Robbin) of Bainbridge, GA, Tammy Brooks of Bainbridge, and Kerry Jones (Stephen) of Brinson, Georgia; sister, Jane Creed (Kenneth) of Knoxville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Kim (Cass) Brooks, Jr. of Panama City, Florida, Kristopher Brooks (Carrie) of Bainbridge, Clara Brooks of Edwards, Missouri and Crystal Cannon (Mark) of Bainbridge; great-grandchildren, Hunter Brooks, Chase Brooks, Marshall Brooks, Liam Cason, Richelle Ludemann, Madison Cannon (John) and Daniel Cannon; and nieces and nephews, Kristin Nicholson, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Keith Charrier, Brian Charrier, Shannon Williber, Tony Ducote, Gene Guillory, and Melanie Foster all of Louisiana.She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Pat Charrier, Rita Guillory, Jerry Barbin, and Kennon Barbin.

Online condolences may be sent at www.coxiveyfuneralhome.com. Cox-Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.