Dr. Ray O. Brooks

In 2 Cor. 5:8, the Apostle Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Ray O’Dell Brooks claimed that promise on March 26, 2026 at the age of 103 years and 19 days. He was born in Emhouse, TX outside of Corsicana on March 7,1923, to John T. (Jack) Brooks and Lalia Ray Brooks. He was the second of four children and the only son. He grew up on a series of cotton farms in and around Barry, TX. He graduated from Barry High School in 1939...there were only nine students in his graduating class. He left for college at the age of 16 to attend the A&M College of Texas, now Texas A&M University. He paid for his first semester (tuition, room and board) by selling calves he had raised on the farm. That first semester cost $23! In 1942, after the outbreak of WWII, he, like so many in the greatest generation, enlisted in the service of his country. His chosen branch was the Naval Air Corps. He eventually graduated from blimp school at Lakehurst, NJ, on Dec. 7, 1943. He was stationed for most of the war in Maceo, Brazil, engaged in U-boat reconnaissance. While at home on leave in 1944, he walked into Daiches Jewelers in Corsicana and spotted a pretty young salesclerk wearing a fuchsia pink sweater. Her name was Mickey Evans. He approached her and after some small talk he asked her out. She declined saying she was already engaged to a US Army sergeant. Ray asked, “Is he here now?” She declined again reiterating that she was engaged to someone else. Outside he told the friend he was with that he was going to marry that girl. Ray continued to pursue her through the US postal system. They were married on Sept. 8, 1945. To this union were born a daughter, Patty Christian in 1946, and a son, Jack, in 1951. After the war, he completed his studies at A&M earning a degree in Agricultural Education in 1946. He taught high school in Blue Ridge, TX, before returning to Navarro County to pursue his first love...cotton farming. He also taught veterans’ agriculture during that time in Navarro County. In 1950, Ray accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. This would perhaps not have happened had it not been for the friendship and testimony of his good friend, M.G. McNeill. That decision was to lead to his accepting God’s call to full-time ministry in 1951 which would eventually move him and his family to Henderson where he enrolled at Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary. Early in his ministry he felt that God wanted him to become a church planter in the DFW area. However, God had other plans. He became pastor of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Longbranch, TX. This was a decision that would have long term implications for his life, as well as the life of his family, the life of Longbranch church, and the life of Texas Baptist Institute. He would be pastor of the Longbranch church for 71 years before his retirement at the age of 100. And his association with Texas Baptist Institute would last for an even longer period of time as he went from student to instructor, to registrar, to dean, and eventually to president of the school...a position he held for 50 years. The trajectory of his original plans for ministry changed from church planter to the education of young ministers. However, the earlier dream of church planting became one of the main ministries of the Longbranch church, for that congregation has been instrumental in starting churches in Texas and Vermont, and their spiritual and financial support has been felt throughout the world. He has had many titles in his lifetime... To the world in general he was Dr. Brooks; to his wife of 67 years he was Bro. Honey; to his children, grandchildren, great grand-daughters, and great-great-granddaughter he was Papa Ray; to his dear church members and students at TBI, he was Bro. Brooks; to his nieces and nephews he was Uncle Ray and Uncle Buddy; but, most importantly IS his title as child of God, saved by grace. Ray is survived by his daughter Patty Christian of Henderson; son Jack and wife Betsy Wallace Brooks of Henderson; grand-daughter, Amanda Brooks Kahrsch and husband, Ramon, of Ludswigsburg, Germany; grand-son, Craig Christian of Henderson; great grand-daughters Raimey Christian and Maria Kahrsch; and great great grand-daughter, Bryanna Brown; and many beloved nieces and nephews throughout the state of Texas and a host of friends as shown by those in attendance today. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mickey Evans Brooks; his parents, Jack and Lalia Brooks; three sisters, Tommye Hall, Elvice Barr, and Vida Hughes; son-in-law, Johnny Christian; and-dear friends M.G. and Jackie McNeill. Private graveside services will be held on Monday, March 30, at Lakewood Cemetery in Henderson. The service will be at 2:00 pm with Rev. Steve Owen, pastor of Longbranch Missionary Baptist Church officiating. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, April 11, at Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The service will be at 2:00 pm. Speakers will be Rev. Dwain Knight, Rev. Donnell Wright, Dr. David Proctor, and Ron Hall, nephew of the deceased. Music will be provided by Jon Starling. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Pallbearers will be Craig Christian, Rodney Cariker, Gene Giles, Heath Cariker, John Worley, Steve Whittenberg, and Clay Whittenberg. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Longbranch Missionary Baptist Church. Bro. Brooks’ life was dedicated to proclaiming the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior, “Who was and is and is to come”. His life may be summed up in the words from Paul in Phil. 1:21, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, P.O. Box 570, Henderson, Texas 75653. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Dr. Ray O. Brooks

March 7, 1923 - March 26, 2026