ON SEPTEMBER 1,1927,an angel and missionary of the Lord was born. Irene Brooks, daughter to the late Irene Fenwick and Daniel Colburn was born and raised in Baltimore, MD where she also received her education. She was loved and adored by many.Asfor many lives that she has touched upon, a blessing was given to her.Inher younger days, the very first job she had was working as a candy wrapper on Pratt Street in Downtown Baltimore.

On July 6, 1969, she married the late Robert Brooks at Wayland Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD where she was a faithful member underthe leadership ofthe late Reverend WilliamW.Payne. She followedhis leadership which transformed to the City Temple Baptist Church, now under the leadership of Reverend Grady Yergin. She continued to maintain her faithful commitment up to her last days. Irene also worked many years for the University of Maryland Hospital where she had met many friends and has maintained her relationship with them and their children over the years. She retired from University of Maryland Hospital in 1984. Irene loved her family deeply as well as her close knit friends. She had many hobbies during her life span such as knitting, croqueting, ceramics, baking, and gardening. She and her late husband Robert Brooks had their very own victory garden back in the 70s. Every season, they worked their garden togetherwithgreat pride and joy. They shared their victory garden with many family members and friends.

It was nothing for Irene to show offher culinary skills on a daily basis, especially during the holidays. The holidays won't be the same without her delicious cakes, pies, and cobblers. She was also a member of the Liberty Senior Citizen club and the Liberty Road Senior Aquatic club at the Y.M.C.A. There, she met many new friends. Every week, they would get together for social outings suchaslunch, brunch, movies, or going to see a play. She found so much enjoyment in these activities. She also participated in many road trips, traveling by bus to New York, Pennsylvania, to name afew,going to see concerts and plays. She really enjoyed her life. No grass grew under her feet, she stayed busy and active.Inher later years, she became the caregiver to her elder cousin HelenJacobs (aged 96). She took a lot ofpride and caring for her cousin. Now that her job has ceased with Cousin Helen, she is gone to glory to continue to serve the lord.

She leaves to cherish in her memory surrogate-mother Lila Williams (who preceded her in death), brother Melvin Jefferson, sisters (who preceded her in death) Rosietta Jefferson and Bertha MaeJefferson, sons Larry Drakeford, Michael Henson (who preceded herindeath), Gregory Henson, step-daughter Carolyn Brooks, niece/surrogate-daughter Pamela Colbert, grandson Cody Henson, surrogate grand-daughterJessica Poland, nieces Katina Jefferson, Mykia Jefferson-Springs, Rosemary English, Valerie Brown, Camille English-Davis, Crystal English, Sherry English, Great nephews Cecil Shepherd, Paul Boone III, Stephen Boone, Maurice Brown (who preceded her in death), Marcus Brown (who preceded her in death), Jordan Wyder, great nieces Brianna Ford, Diamond Brown, Montgomery Springs, cousins Helen Jacobs, Rosietta Graham and a host o f many other family members and friends.