Charles Brooks

Charles “Charley” Edward Brooks III, also affectionately known by family and friends as “Brooksie,” 81 of Kingsport, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, with his beloved wife and daughter by his side.

Born on January 22, 1944, in Kingsport, Charley was the son of the late Charles Edward Brooks Jr. and the late Jane Greer Brooks. He spent his formative years running the streets of Fairacres and playing football and running track at Ross N. Robinson Middle School and Dobyns-Bennett High School where he built friendships that would last a lifetime.

Charley attended Staunton Military Academy and Wake Forest University before proudly serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a member of 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division. After returning home, he completed his education at East Tennessee State University.

Charley went on to serve as President of Citizens Supply Corporation for several years before accepting a position with Cox Wood Preserving Company headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

He served on various community boards including Kingsport Rotary Club and Friends of Allendale. He was a member of the Bays Mountain Park Commission and was an active member in the early years of State of Franklin Track Club. An avid sportsman, he competed in races, triathlons, kayaked, hiked, and ran a marathon in his early years. He enjoyed reading, mainly history books, walking, and spending time with friends and family.

Charley was an active member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church where he was a regular volunteer with the Wood Ministry upon retiring.

To know Charley was to love him. His warmth, humor, and unwavering generosity left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He lived a life marked by integrity, kindness, service, and community spirit. His memory will continue to inspire all who had the joy of knowing him.

Charley is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Ford Brooks; his daughter, Katherine Brooks Goldman (Matt); his grandchildren, Brooks Margaret Goldman and Gaines Henry Goldman; by his sisters, Greer Mayor (Chuck), Dorothy Shepherd, and Rebecca Carver; his brother-in-law, Michael Ford (Carol); sisters-in-law, Lisa Ford and Missy Brooks; several nieces, nephews, and much-loved friends.

In addition to his parents, Charley was preceded in death by his brother, Andrew Marshall Brooks and his brothers-in-law, Don Shepherd, Frank Carver and Jim Ford.

A service to celebrate Charley’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport. A visitation and reception will follow, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 East Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660; Friends of Allandale, 4444 W. Stone Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660; Bays Mountain Park, 853 Mountain Park Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660; or the Alzheimer’s Association @ alz.org.