Willie Ray Roper-Brooks

Obituary For Willie Ray Roper-Brooks

Willie Ray Roper-Brooks was born on March 2, 1938, in Old Hickory, Tennessee, to the late James and Viola Smith Roper. On October 25, 2025, she peacefully departed this life to enter her eternal rest.

Willie Ray gave her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. In later years, she became a devoted member of Hicks Tabernacle Church, where she faithfully served until her health no longer permitted.

She was educated in the Nashville school system and graduated from Haynes High School, where she studied shorthand and typing. After receiving her diploma, she pursued her passion for beauty and attended beauty school. A few years later, she married the love of her life, Sammy A. Brooks. Their union was blessed with three loving children: Sammy A. Brooks Jr., the late Tedarrel D. Brooks, and Syllia E. Brooks.

A dedicated homemaker, Willie Ray found joy in caring for her family and home. She had a special talent for cooking and baking—skills that she often shared with others, even selling her delicious cakes in her spare time. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless joy and laughter. In her leisure, she loved watching The Voice and cheering for her favorite team, the Tennessee Titans.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Tedarrel D. Brooks (Stephanie); granddaughters Tedarrica and Alexis Brooks; grandson Deismond J. Williams; her parents, James and Viola Smith-Roper; and siblings Ruth E. Street, James Roper Jr., Eva Pauline Jackson, Leroy Roper, and Roosevelt Roper.

Willie Ray’s legacy of love, strength, and faith will continue to live on through those she leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Sammy A. Brooks Jr.; her daughter, Syllia E. Brooks; grandchildren Lanitra D. Brooks, Shaquita (Tonis) Johnson, Makeya (Jamie) Jenkins, Glenn Yarbrough, Jasmine Brooks, and Tedarrel Brooks Jr.; her brother, Jimmy R. (Maureen) Roper; devoted niece, Elizabeth Tina Marks-Wilson; and six great-grandchildren—Ivan, Latoya, Isaiah, Alexander, Elias, and Tonus.

Her life was a testament to faith, family, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.