Carolyn Shelley Brooks

Carolyn Shelley Brooks was born to the late Warren David Shelley and Addie Louis Shelley on September 28, 1933. She fell asleep peacefully on Sunday October 11, 2026, with family by her side.

Carolyn was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 12, 1968, in Winston Salem NC along with four other family members. She often said that was the happiest day of her life. Through the years she attended six different congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses and developed many life-long friends. Carolyn loved her spiritual brothers and sisters and was quick to tell them how much she loved them. Her love for others was evident in the way she treated them and how she shared her faith in the Bible’s wonderful hope with any who would listen, even when she was housebound.

Carolyn was a single mom for many years and raised four children. On June 4, 1977 she married Carl K. Brooks. For many years Carl and Carolyn owned a business called the “Tackle Box” where they sold fishing supplies, and even sold furniture. Part of the business included a restaurant that was known locally for its excellent food. Carolyn worked hard to support her husband and they were known for their hospitable and generous spirit. They opened their home for many guests through the years. Together they served Jehovah and had a very happy and loving marriage for 44 years, until Carl died in June of 2021.

Carolyn also had many hobbies. She enjoyed sports and as a teen-ager was a starter on her high school basketball team and was known for her quickness and defensive skills. She also loved to fish, even to the point that some of her friends said that she was a bad influence on them because Carolyn would talk them into cutting school on occasion so they could go fishing. Later, she made sure she regularly took her children fishing as well. She was also an avid gardener and enjoyed traveling with her husband, Carl, looking for antiques.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and four of her brothers: Warren, Michael, Carlton and Dean Shelley. Sadly she lost three children; William David Sanders, daughters Dawn Sanders Bland and Gail Hawa .

She is survived by her son Derrick Lane (Faye). Stepchildren; Natalie Brooks Rumsey (Tony), Glenn Brooks (Terrie), Tammy and Timmy Brooks (Lisa). Also, a son-in-law Wayne Hawa, a sister Diane Grant, and brother Ronnie Shelley, along with 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 3:00 pm at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, 1020 Rabbit Run, Hopkins,  SC  29061.

Carolyn Brooks Memorial Link:

Meeting ID 868 3712 9147

Passcode 390678

October 24, 2026, at 3:00 pm Eastern Time