Stella Ray Brooks

Stella Ray Brooks passed into glory on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the age of 100 years, 7 months after her long and wonderful earthly journey. She was born at Round-Up, Carter County, Oklahoma on October 17, 1924 to Edgar Ray Goodman and Lela Lee (Goodwin) Goodman. She attended school at Roundup and Graham, OK, and received her high school diploma from Duncan High School.

Before Stella came to Duncan, she became a nurse in Ardmore, OK and attended her failing grandmother until her death. She then moved to Duncan and went to work for Dr. A.J. Weedn as his office nurse, and at that time, met the love of her life, Weldon A. Brooks Sr. They were married August 17, 1946. Weldon preceded her in death November 11, 2001 after 55 years of marriage.

Weldon and Stella established "Brooks Grocery Store" at the corner of 11th Street and Elder. Weldon was an excellent butcher and business man, and with Stella behind the counter, they serviced Duncan's community for over 25 years until their retirement. Stella then returned to nursing, received her LPN, and worked several years for Dr. David Strange and Dr. John Bond. She retired from nursing to be Weldon's full-time caregiver until his death.

Stella taught the Junior Girls' Sunday School class for many years at Oak Avenue Church of the Nazarene. Weldon served on the church board for 50 years, and after his death, Stella took his place on the board. She and Weldon served the Lord as their life-long commitment.

Her life was centered on her home, family and church. She enjoyed many years of following her children and grandchildren to all of their many activities. Every free moment, you could find Stella on her knees, digging and pruning her beautiful yard of which was her most loved hobby.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and 4 grandchildren: Jeremy Chad Brooks, Christina Jean Brooks, Wade Austin Brooks, and Casey Akins; and 4 brothers: Edsel, Gene, Harvey, and Paul Goodman.

She is survived by three children: Weldon A. Brooks Jr. (Kathy), Dan G. Brooks (Sheila), Deidria Brooks Ketchum; 4 grandchildren: Trey Brooks, Wynne Ann Ellis, Beverly Brooke Ketchum, Xan E. Ketchum; 9 great-grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews who she loved and prayed for.

The family will visit with friends on Thursday, May 22, between the hours of 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, May 23, at the Heritage Oaks Nazarene Church on West Beech in Duncan with Rev. Randy Southerland officiating. Burial will follow in the Duncan Municipal Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Bobby Dodson, Lyndol Shults, Trey Brooks, Jim Lane, Hal Pennington, and Darrell Jones. Honorary pallbearers are Ray Loghry, Mike Harper, and Chris Barton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the Oklahoma Medical Society for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Christina Brooks Scholarship Foundation at Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, OK.

Online condolences may be made at www.whittfh.com.

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