MARY LEANNA JOHNSON BROOKS will be remembered for her
helpfulness, patience, creativity and endurance. She cherished her family
roots, was devoted to her brothers, church friends and neighbors, and
quietly accepted life's challenges.

Mary Leanna Johnson Brooks was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April
5, 1928, the third child and only daughter of Edgar Dawson Johnson
and Ann Deborah Lee Johnson. Her three brothers, Edgar [r., Vernon and
Paul remained central figures in her life until their deaths. During family
events she was a regular participant with her brothers and their families.

Mary excelled in school, especially in Mathematics. She attended Booker
T. Washington Junior High School and Frederick Douglass Senior High
School in Baltimore City. After graduation in 1946, Mary married her
high school sweetheart, Arnold Hall, deceased. Years later, she wed
Melvin Brooks, now deceased.

In the 1950's as a recent Douglass High School graduate, Mary began
her career as a Chesapeake & Potomac telephone operator. She became a
trailblazer working with a selected group of African American women to
help break the racial barrier at the company. Years later, Mary worked
in the Procurement office and Accounts Receivable department at Bowie
State College (now University) until her retirement. In later years she
enjoyed volunteering in the administrative office of St. Cecilia's Catholic
Church where she was a parishioner for over 30 years.

Many admired Mary for the care and skill she extended to her family
and close elderly friends, keeping vigil dyring their illnesses, providing
nursing care as needed, reading to them or just sitting quietly by.

Mary was also known for her talent as a seamstress. Some regarded her
as a "modern-day Dorcas," sharing her designing and sewing with her
peers. Her unique wedding gowns included sequins and pearl appliques.
For the socially elite she produced clothing out of suede and leather,
long before it became popular to wear such outfits. Later, at the request
of Jacqueline Campbell, Sunday School teacher, Mary used her sewing
skills producing First Communion stoles for the youth at St. Cecilia. Her
creativity remains a treasured memory.

In the Summer of 2012, Mary moved to DePaul House, a Catholic
Charities Senior Community, and was very happy there. She enjoyed
bingo night and volunteering in the kitchen. In 2015 after a short hospital
stay she entered St. Elizabeth's Rehabilitation, eventually moving to St.
Elizabeth's Long Term Nursing Facility where she quietly took one day
at a time. She died peacefully there November 19th.

Mary Leanna Johnson Brooks leaves to cherish her memory: a devoted
niece and nephew, Cecilia Johnson Simms and Barry X. Simms (her
Birthday buddy); two great-nephews, Blair A. and Paul E. Simms; one
great-niece, Natalie R. Simms; sisters-in-law, Eleanor R. Johnson and
Muriel D. Johnson; and a host of other relatives, former neighbors and
friends.

Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Wednesday, November 30, 2016 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Thursday, December 01, 2016 10:30 AM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral to begin @ 11A Directions