Lela Leona Brooks Bailey, 99, of Morgantown, and Ocala, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Mon Health Medical Center. She was born April 27, 1924, in Tioga, a daughter of the late Allen and Lucy Ellen Lewis Brooks.
She was a member of the College Park Church of God in Ocala, Fla. She was a graduate of Cowen High School in 1945; Glenville State College in 1953; University of Florida, M. Ed in 1958; and West Virginia University. C.A.S. in 1969. She was an educator in the public schools of Florida and West Virginia. She served 42 years in the areas of early childhood education, teacher, reading specialist, and public school administration. She also taught graduate, as well as undergraduate classes at West Virginia University in the summers of 1964 and 1966. She taught Sunday school classes, chaired church committees, served as President of Wesleyan Service Guild, President of Monongalia County Teachers Association, President of Monongalia County Reading Council, Vice-President of West Virginia Writer’s Association, Editor of West Virginia Writer’s News Letter, Historian for Phi Delta Kappa (W.V.U.), Secretary for W.V.U. Alumni Association, Regional Director for WV Association of Classroom Teachers, and a member of civic clubs including Morgantown Toastmaster’s and Flatts Homemakers. She also organized the Golden Rod Writer’s Group and set up a volunteer reading clinic for children. Other volunteer work includes working for the Salvation Army in Florida, and teaching at Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, Fla. Author: The effects of Speed-Reading Exercises, listed in Who’s Who of American Women, 10th Edition, 1977-78.
She is preceded in death by one sister, Retha Brooks McAvoy; and three brothers, Denzil Franklin Brooks, Sterling J Brooks and Kenneth R. Brooks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505.
Friends and family will be received at Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Rd., Morgantown, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, and again on Friday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Larry Buckland and Pastor Junuis Lewis officiating. A second service will be held in the area she grew up at Alderson Missionary Baptist Church, Alderson Church Rd., Craigsville, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at noon with Pastor Samuel Luppino and Pastor Junius Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at West Virginia Memorial Gardens in Calvin, WV. Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
