Annette Brooks, 78, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Friday, January 30, 2026, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Shirley Strawter and the Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Interment will follow in Sturgeon Creek Cemetery, Ben Hill County. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Thursday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Pastor Brooks was born January 8, 1948, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, to the late Robert Lucius Williams and the late Audrey Dorminey Williams Harper. She was a 1966 graduate of Fitzgerald High School and earned her bachelor degree in education from Georgia Southern in 1969. She later earned her masters degree in mathematics from Georgia Southwestern. A passionate educator, Pastor Brooks began her teaching career in Irwin County in 1969. She moved to Fitzgerald High School in 1972 where she taught mathematics until her retirement in 2000. She would later work as a substitute for several years. She answered the call to ministry in 2004 when she graduated from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. For 8 years she pastored both St Peters United Methodist Church and Pine Level Methodist Church. She has served solely as pastor at St Peters United Methodist Church for the past 14 years. She enjoyed swimming and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of St Peters UMC.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Walter A. Brooks of Fitzgerald; daughter, Gina Brooks Royal & Andy of Fitzgerald; son, Jeff Brooks of Hiawassee; grandchildren: Emily Royal Hightower & Briggs, Brooks Royal & Delaney, Annlyn Royal Dixon & Ben, and A.J. Royal; a great-grandson, Hudson Royal; a great-granddaughter on the way, Esther Dixon; two sisters: Bobbie Gibbs & Walton of McDonough and Jane Coleman & Roger of Fitzgerald; a brother, Riley Williams of Adrian; a brother-in-law, David Brooks & Irmgard of Leesburg; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Lucius Williams.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to St Peters UMC, P O Box 1148, Fitzgerald GA 31750 or to Sturgeon Creek Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Jane Coleman, 131 Shenandoah Drive, Fitzgerald GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.