Buddie Roosevelt Brooks

Buddie R. Brooks, 92, passed away on June 19, 2025 at the N.C. State Veterans Home in Salisbury, NC. He was a native of Jackson County and was raised in the Pine Creek Community. His parents were the late Theodore R. Brooks and Lula Green Brooks. 

As a teen, Buddie worked with his father on their cabbage farm. He was drafted into the United States Army at age 19 and served honorably in Germany during the Korean War. After returning to Jackson County, Buddie and several family members began working at the Sapphire Valley Inn and Resort. He was the caddy master at the golf course. While working there, he met his wife, Ruth A. Hooper and they married in 1961. After their marriage, they moved to Sylva and Buddie began a 30 year career in Hazelwood working in furniture manufacturing. He was a proud member of the United Steelworkers Union, serving as an officer in his local chapter. 

After retirement, he worked part-time delivering meals for Mountain Projects, Inc. Buddie was an enthusiastic hobbyist. He was a gardener and a talented woodworker. He built classic Chevrolet trucks and showed them locally at car and truck shows, winning a cabinet of trophies.

Throughout his life, Buddie was a man of strong faith and was a member of two area churches, Locust Field Missionary Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church. He was a Sunday school teacher and supervisor as well as a deacon. 

Buddie is preceded in death by his beloved wife Ruth, a son: Craig Hooper (Barbara), two sisters: Betty Norris and Hilda Miles. Surviving are his son, Brian K. Brooks (Lana)(Kingsport) and daughter:Cheryl Y. Brooks (Concord), Two sisters: Melva Harwell (Baton Rouge) and Martha Lou Hoffman (Sapphire). Three grandchildren: Amber Donaldson (Adam), Kristen Brooks (Josh), and Travis Brooks (Haven).. As well as great-grandchildren: Evan, Zella, Pruitt and Emma plus many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC on Friday, June 27, 2025. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00pm with the funeral service following at 6:00pm in the chapel. Burial will be at the following day at Brasstown Cemetery in Cullowhee, NC on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 11am.