MONTY BROOKS

Monty Brooks transitioned peacefully on Saturday June 24, 2023, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia. A fighter to the end, he lost his battle following extensive injuries sustained from an auto accident weeks before.

He was born on March 10, 1950, the only child of the late Joe and Carrie Lee Stradford Brooks. Monty grew up surrounded by his many cousins and friends. He was educated in the Linden, New Jersey, Public School System. At an early, age he developed a love of sports. He was a star football, basketball and track athlete at Linden High School. In 1973, Monty met Denise Sanders and they were married in 1981 at his mother's home in Dalzell. Monty was an attentive, loving, doting parent to Damond and Jamal, getting great pleasure from their spontaneous outings to the Jersey shore and parts unknown. Every summer, Monty drove his boys to spend the hot summer in South Carolina with their grandmother.

A graduate of Seton Hall University (New Jersey), he was active with the Black Student Union on campus. After retiring, Coach Brooks was recruited by Long Island University to coach shot put and javelin for the varsity's Track and Field. He was a winning coach throughout his career, receiving many awards and five championship rings, including NCAA for coaching at LIU. Monty relocated to Dalzell in 2020 to join his son, Jamal. Before Monty left New Jersey, he developed a passion for classic cars, driving his 1964 Buick Riviera all over, especially to the car shows. In South Carolina, he began competing, adding to his collection a real winner, a 1948 Chevy. More than 20 trophies were awarded to him, giving him great joy.

Left to cherish his memory: two sons, Damond Sanders and Jamal Brooks; one grandson, Quentin Brooks; three adopted sisters, Martha Smith, Mary and Carrie Diane Brooks of Bishopville; one adopted brother, James Brooks of Columbia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting that face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home, 271 Lightwood Knot Road, Dalzell.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Raymond Cook Jr., eulogist.

The funeral procession will leave the home at 2:20 p.m.

Burial will be in the New Haven United Methodist Church Cemetery, 3159 Red Hill Road, Bishopville.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.