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Obituary For Julia Lyons Brooks
Julia Dean Lyons Brooks was born on November 28, 1942 to the late Dulbert and Laura Bryant Lyons in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. She graduated from Pattillo High School, Tarboro, North Carolina and after a gap year continued her education at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC where she received a BS Degree. She obtained her Master's Degree from City University of New York. During her time at NCCU, she was very active in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960's. She began her career in New York as a caseworker and after obtaining her graduate degree, she began a career in Human Resources where she worked with Consolidated Edison, Coopers and Lybrand, Price Waterhouse, and the New York Association for New Americans.
She was an active member of The Coalition Of 100 Black Women, New York Association of College Recruiters and The Bergen County Chapter of The Links Inc. while residing in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area.
She and her late husband, Bernard E. Brooks, former Mayor of Teaneck, New Jersey relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1995 where she resumed her career in human resources with Hardee's and BB&T. After early retirement, she continued to work as Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the United Way until her diagnosis with cancer in 2015.
She served on the board of the Spartanburg Art Museum, Chapman Cultural Center, Converse Board of Visitors, Girl Scouts of the Piedmont, Mobile Meals, Salvation Army, Spartanburg Historical Association, Fifty Upstate and Spartanburg Regional Foundation.
She is a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg. A member of Business and Professional Women and served as Chair of the ARC of The Rock Springs/The Townes homeowner's association.
She was a member of the Spartanburg Chapter of The Link's Inc. A member of Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church where she served as Chair of the Greeter's Ministry and managed the Media Center.
She was one of the 59,000 women enrolled in Black Women's Health Study (BWHS) a long-term observational study conducted at Boston University's Sloane Epidemiology Center since 1995 to investigate the health problems of Black Women over a long time period.
Julia enjoyed traveling and visited all of the States in the US except eleven. She toured the Caribbean, Canada, Italy, France, Spain and Mexico, including cruises. She went on two mission trips to Haiti and Cuba. She was an avid volunteer, raised rare houseplants and always had a vegetable and herb garden.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Bernard E. Brooks; two brothers, Elbert and Warner Lyons; and two sisters, Nannie Lyons Boyd and Mildred Maloy Claytor.
Survivors include: a brother, Bernard Lyons, Tarboro, NC; two nieces; one nephew; two sisters-in-law, Martha Brooks of Yonkers, NY and Mary Lyons of Hampton, VA; several cousins and friends; her late husband's four daughters, Sharon, Karen, Susan and Theresa.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Gibbs Cancer Center, 380 Serpentine Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303 or Duke Health Fund, Duke University, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708-
0581.
Memorials may also be made to the Draughn-Lyons-Exum Scholarship Fund, % of Spencer A. Becton, 14009 Manchester Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774.
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Julia Lyons Brooks was a true Girl Scout in every sense of the word. She was a dedicated servant leader and role model for girls and adults in the Girl Scout Movement. Julia served the legacy Piedmont Area Girl Scout Council as a Board member and on numerous committees, including a very important late-1990s Board Search Committee where she provided wise human resources leadership. She was a committee member and valuable consultant for the 2007 merger of three South Carolina councils to form what is now Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands.
Julia was generous and giving, always lending her time and talents both in Girl Scouting and across her beloved Spartanburg community. Simultaneously understanding the need for personal financial support of a successful organization, she was a Girl Scout Emerald Circle donor for over 20 years.
Julia's honesty and integrity were displayed throughout her work, her strong volunteer ethic, and her interpersonal relationships. If Julia said so, you could count on her solid facts backing it up. She was always the warm, gracious lady who took time not only to speak to everyone present for an activity, but to recall each individual by name and make that person feel welcomed, valued, and important. Julia was genuinely interested in what you had been doing since she last saw you, and she never made you feel hurried in catching up, even though you knew she had lots more people she'd spend time with before the event ended.
These days, it may be rare to bestow this attribute, but Julia was a truly classy lady. Her bright smile, sparkling eyes, and caring warmth will be missed by those who knew her and cherished by those who loved her, including the hundreds of Girl Scouts and volunteers who were blessed by her life.
On behalf of Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Julia's family and friends. We are forever grateful for the legacy she leaves behind—for the girls she inspired, the community she served, and the spirit of leadership and kindness she embodied. Julia's life made a lasting impact, and her memory will continue to shine brightly across the movement she helped shape.
I was so sorry to hear about Julia's passing. She was such an energetic, remarkable woman. Julia fought the good fight and was an example to us all. RIP
Julia was a very nice person and always so kind to me and my husband, Larry. She would often check on Larry as he contended with his health issues. We would have many conversations on various topics and she would have great insight on those topics. She will definitely be missed. We are praying for Julia's family during this difficult time.
Julia lived her best life. Well done faithful servant, well done. Our family will miss you and your high spirit and energy. We will see you over There!
Cousin, Doris Lyons Jones
We enjoyed knowing Julia a wonderful lady may you rest in peace.
To the family of Julia, I want you to know how much this lady meant to me. She was so intelligent, attractive, and took very good care of herself! I was allowed and honored to be her Dental Hygienist for 35 years. We talked about everything! She was a good friend, and when my Mother moved in her neighborhood, she had us over for a garage gathering (Covid🤦🏼♀️) and we had wine and cheese. She told me several months ago that she had a very bad car accident, was having to use a walker, and her cancer was back. She didn't know when she would be in. I will forever regret not going to see her and have that one last wonderful conversation. Rest in peace Julia and my condolences to you family!
R.I.P!
Julia was a beautiful lady. I loved her energy and upbeat attitude. She meant a lot to so many people, and she will be missed. Susan Hodge Irwin
Such a nice lady so sorry for your loss
Our family gathering, the Draughan, Lyons, Exum family reunion has lost one of its angels. We will miss seeing you at these gatherings, yet thank you for sharing your gracious spirit with us over the years. Rest now my friend, your life was well lived.
My condolences to the family.
Julia used to share with me what her mother had told her, "When God gave out patience, you were at the end of the line." But, for Julia, it wasn't a lack of patience at all. It was an abundance of love for life and for everyone around her. Her incredible energy was truly inspiring...it motivated me to do, think, and explore the world more than I ever would have without her. I'll miss her dearly.
Julia was a wonderful friend; we had many good times together. She and her good work and her friendship will be greatly missed. I celebrate her presence in my life!
What a life will lived! I met Julia at one of her many favorite organizations some twenty something years ago. and she accepted me into her large circle of friends. She was a gracious and loving woman. For some years, we were theater buddies sitting side by side at Spartanburg Little Theater performances. Julia, I long to see you again, and look forward to that possibility.
My deepest condolences to Julia's family. I've known Julia since 2015 when she got her diagnosis. We bonded over our love of God, our families and that she and my son shared Thanksgiving birthdays. This beautiful, sophisticated socialite came to the pharmacy window perplexed and saddened by her diagnosis but left (after a long conversation) fiercely determined to beat the cancer. She did just that. She put everything in God's hands and He blessed her with abundant support of her family, friends and the Gibbs Cancer nurses and of course pharmacy. Julia referred to herself as all of our "success story". Rest in His Heavenly Paradise. I'll miss you dearly my friend till we meet again.
Annie Maynard Retired Pharmacy Technician
Julia and Bernie were our dear, wonderful neighbors. She is at peace now and with Bernie. We had many good times with Julia: enjoying a glass of wine, being ever amazed with her boundless energy and listening to her profound comments at book group. She and Bernie were forces in the Spartanburg community.
Sleep well beautiful lady! Godspeed to the family.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace friend. You will be missed.
Sending love and peace to you all.
Rest in peace Julia. Such a sweet spirited lady❤️
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
