CHARLES ALOYSIUS BROOKS, the sixth child of seven children of the late James "Jim" Ritchley & Mildred Butler Brooks, was born on May 13, 1934 in Leonardtown Maryland in St. Mary's County. He departed this life on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at the St. Mary's County Hospital. "Charlie" , "pop, pop", or "Daddy " as he was affectionately known, was educated in the St. Mary's County School system and graduated from Banneker High School in Loveville, Maryland.

Charles A. Brooks and Mary Ann Hayden were married on July 11, 1953. He had three daughters, Beverly Louise, Deborah Ann, and Charlene; two sons David Troy and Aaron Hayden.

Charles worked in many capacities. He served his country in the U. S. Army from 1953-1955. He worked in several jobs to include a position at the Town Cleaners in Leonardtown; as a school bus driver for over 20 years; the Board of Education of St. Mary's County; a truck driver for the Trading Post. He retired from the Angel System Company. Although he worked hard, he left time to enjoy himself. He enjoyed playing pool, and playing cards. He enjoyed being a "shade tree" mechanic. His sense of humor and good natured teasing made his wife and daughters feel loved and challenged. He kept Mary Ann busy in the kitchen cooking because eating was one of his greatest skills and joys. He truly enjoyed driving his car to meet his friends at Burch Mart on Saturday morning for the weekend "gossip fest." In his later years, he would be found at home watching the old westerns on television, reading the newspaper, and looking at the news. He also took time to visit the "Shop" just to talk with his friends regarding current events.

Charlie was baptized at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown and was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church.

Charlie was preceded in death by four loving brothers; James Kerrick "Tot", William Kennedy "Dickie" (Bernice), Robert Alexander "Knute" (Genevieve), and Thomas Edward "Tommie" Brooks. He leaves to cherish his memory three daughters: Beverly L. Brooks of Mableton, Georgia; Deborah Brooks Dyson ("Peaches") of Lexington Park, MD; Charlene Yates of Oakville, MD; two sons David Troy Hayden (Gloria); Aaron Hayden Brooks of Lexington Park, MD; five grandchildren Carlos S. Brooks (Vicki) of Great Mills, MD; George I. Brooks (Jurea) of Charlotte, NC; Terance J. Brooks of Melan, MI; Shadana Myers and Charlay Yates of Oakville, MD; six great grandchildren: Shamar Tishon and Akaria Sentell Brooks; Parran D. Barnes; Kareem Gough; Ta'Zyia Nahji-merie and Ka'Zyia Brooks; one sister, Ada L. Brooks of Philadelphia, PA; one brother, Phillip Francis "Coy" Brooks (Helen) of Elizabeth, NJ; one brother-in-law, Charles H. Smallwood (Nancy); four sisters-in-law, Gloria Jean Shade (Thomas); Martha of Oakville, MD, Helen of West Orange, NJ; and Corene Brooks of Tucson, AZ; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and very close friends.

He was also preceded in death by his buddies, William Albert Stewart, Sr., George Kennedy Gordon (Bubba) and Clarence Evans (Kingfish).

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. John Dakes officiating. Interment services will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

Serving as pallbearers will be Thomas E. Brooks, James A. Courtney, Claude Queen Claude Queen, Jr., James Brooks, and Thomas A. Scriber. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Henderson Blackwell, Ralph "Sonny" Butler, Robert Daly, Charles Medley, Claude Medley, Charles "Midget" Miles, Raymond Pitts, Eugene Young, and Joseph "Joe Boy" Young.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.