On December 7, 2006, Ruth N. Brooks quietly departed this life. Ruth was born on July 26, 1916, to the late Nathan and Hester Thomas. She was the fourth child of their union. She was blessed with the gift of longevity and happily lived her life in Bryans Road, Maryland.

Ruth met and married Raymond Brooks and they continued their life together until his passing on January 9, 1985. From their union, their only child, Rheeta, was born.

She retired from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, formerly the Naval Ordnance Station, in Indian Head, Maryland, after many years of dedicated federal service.

She lived a rich and full life and lived each day as if it were her last. Ruth enjoyed sewing (including doll clothes), gardening, cheering for the Baltimore Orioles Baseball team and exercising. She looked forward to the days when she and her fellow walkers met early mornings on the track! Unbeknownst to many, she clocked many miles on her stationary bike. In her younger days reading was a hobby. She once said that she read the Bible from cover to cover—twice. But her greatest passion was poetry. She loved to read poetry, to recite poetry, and to participate in poetry contests. This she talked about often.

Ruth loved her family and would gladly give you the shirt off of her back. She shared special relationships with each and everyone she met. Anyone that knew her knows that she was quite the conversationalist. Many of her relatives and friends can probably recall a humorous story that she was either the focus of or was initiated by her.

Ruth became a member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in 1932 and was a faithful congregant until her health began to fail. She delighted in the frequent visits she received from Rev. DeFord and Rev. Watson.

She leaves to mourn her passing a devoted and beloved daughter, Rheeta, son-in-law Herbert Norman, sisters, Helen Marbury and Evelyn Lowe, goddaughters, Romaine Marbury and Tamale Walton, a multitude of special nieces and nephews, devoted friends Maureen and William Hawkins, Elvia Thompson and a host of wonderful friends too numerous to name. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Brooks, brothers, Allison, Harold, Nathan, Nolan and Gerard Thomas and sister, Neressa Walton.

Her viewing will take place on Wednesday, December 13th from 9:30a.m. until time of service 11:00a.m. at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road, Indian Head, MD. Interment Church Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Pomonkey, Maryland.