Obituary for Alvin Louis Brooks
Alvin Louis Brooks was born on March 18, 1936 in Washington, DC to Ivy and Walter Brooks. He was called home April 5, 2024 at his home. He was 88 years old.
Alvin was a native Washingtonian. He spent his formative years on R St in Northwest DC. The family later moved to Northeast DC. Growing up, Alvin loved all sports. As a young boy, his days were spent running track and playing baseball - his all time favorite. Many an evening was spent on the baseball diamond. As a youth, Alvin also participated in a nature study group with the US Department of Interior under the auspices of the Park Rangers who directed the program. Some of Alvin’s favorite memories as a young boy included sitting on the curb of Pennsylvania Avenue holding a flag and watching the parade go by.
Alvin matriculated through Banneker Junior High School. He then attended Dunbar High School while Spingarn was under construction. Once Spingarn High School was finished, he went there to graduate.
Alvin always had a passion for math and an insatiable thirst for learning. He followed that path and attended Maryland State College (later known as University of Maryland at Eastern Shore). Brother Brooks was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on December 8, 1956 at Gamma Xi Chapter, Maryland State College.
It was at Maryland State College that Alvin met the love of his life, Bettye Jeanne Edmond of Pompano Beach, Florida. Both Alvin and Bettye majored in Mathematics. They were married in December of 1956 and raised two children together. When they left DC to become homeowners in Glenarden, MD, no one could have imagined the immense love that the walls of their home would see over the next 57 years until his passing. While Alvin was the head of his household, he was also the hands. A renaissance man, Alvin shared equally in the management of the household. Yes, Alvin cooked, cleaned, and did laundry but was also the gentleman that made sure Bettye drove the newer car except when he took it to fill up the tank. Bettye never even had to learn how to pump gas.
Alvin made a commitment to Christ and joined Capitol View Baptist Church in Washington, DC when he was 12 years old. Growing up in the Church, he participated in many activities. A Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and eventually the Chairman of the Deacon Board under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Andrew Fowler, Alvin centered Christ and the Church in his life. He continued as Chairman when Reverend Dr. Fowler’s son, Reverend John Fowler assumed the mantle of church leadership.
Alvin worked for a short period with the US Postal Service and then went on to become a math teacher at Browne Junior High School. He served at John Hayden Johnson Junior High School for decades until retirement from DC Public Schools. Unable to shed his passion for teaching, he decided to return to the classroom in Prince George’s County Public Schools where he worked at Suitland High School. Given the depth of this personal investment, Alvin stayed on his nieces and nephews (mainly the nephews) about the importance of education. Family members remember his many words of encouragement (which some jokingly referred to as lectures). Both he and Bettye instilled a love for learning in their children spurring them to pursue higher education.
There was never a more supportive father than Alvin Brooks. He was always the one that chauffeured Lisa and Reggie (and their friends) to the many activities and sporting events in which they participated. He was there for his nieces, nephews, and brothers-in-law as well. Alvin could often be seen with his camera taking pictures and “home movies” while cheering on the sidelines or in the audience. He enjoyed taking his family on trips to anywhere he could drive - from the mountains to the valleys to the ocean - always making sure to document the experience on film (although the family often joked about many pictures of a thumb or people with their heads cut out of the picture). Alvin passed his love of sports to his children. He took them to Washington Senators baseball games and Capital Bullets basketball games. He would also take them to Washington Redskins practices to let them collect autographs. Watching Redskins games together was a highly anticipated and celebrated family tradition.
His grandchildren, Justin and Kara, were his pride and joy. Alvin relished being a grandfather and his grandchildren were spoiled rotten by him. He doted on them and gave them whatever they desired, and took them wherever they wanted to go. Justin and Kara had the privilege of spending so much time with him as he would pick them up after school and take them around to whatever errands were planned. He loved traveling with them during summer and winter breaks to his second home, Pompano Beach. There, trips to the beach and walks to the cornersto’ were the norm. It was also in Pompano where his doting extended to the children of his brothers-in-law as well. Frequently heard was the question, “Uncle Alvin, can you …?” and Alvin would acquiesce.
Alvin will be remembered as a family man. A learned man. A selfless man. While his presence will be missed, his memory will be cherished and his legacy of dignity and cultural pride will forever keep a part of him with us. Alvin was preceded in death by his siblings Walter and Myrtle; his son, Reginald; and son-in-law, Mert. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Bettye; his daughter, Delisa; grandchildren, Justin and Kara; sisters, Shirley and Marcellene; brother, Edwin (Anna); brothers-in-law, Kaiser (Janice) and Wade (Karen); sister-in-law, Mary; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.
Alvin was a native Washingtonian. He spent his formative years on R St in Northwest DC. The family later moved to Northeast DC. Growing up, Alvin loved all sports. As a young boy, his days were spent running track and playing baseball - his all time favorite. Many an evening was spent on the baseball diamond. As a youth, Alvin also participated in a nature study group with the US Department of Interior under the auspices of the Park Rangers who directed the program. Some of Alvin’s favorite memories as a young boy included sitting on the curb of Pennsylvania Avenue holding a flag and watching the parade go by.
Alvin matriculated through Banneker Junior High School. He then attended Dunbar High School while Spingarn was under construction. Once Spingarn High School was finished, he went there to graduate.
Alvin always had a passion for math and an insatiable thirst for learning. He followed that path and attended Maryland State College (later known as University of Maryland at Eastern Shore). Brother Brooks was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on December 8, 1956 at Gamma Xi Chapter, Maryland State College.
It was at Maryland State College that Alvin met the love of his life, Bettye Jeanne Edmond of Pompano Beach, Florida. Both Alvin and Bettye majored in Mathematics. They were married in December of 1956 and raised two children together. When they left DC to become homeowners in Glenarden, MD, no one could have imagined the immense love that the walls of their home would see over the next 57 years until his passing. While Alvin was the head of his household, he was also the hands. A renaissance man, Alvin shared equally in the management of the household. Yes, Alvin cooked, cleaned, and did laundry but was also the gentleman that made sure Bettye drove the newer car except when he took it to fill up the tank. Bettye never even had to learn how to pump gas.
Alvin made a commitment to Christ and joined Capitol View Baptist Church in Washington, DC when he was 12 years old. Growing up in the Church, he participated in many activities. A Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and eventually the Chairman of the Deacon Board under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Andrew Fowler, Alvin centered Christ and the Church in his life. He continued as Chairman when Reverend Dr. Fowler’s son, Reverend John Fowler assumed the mantle of church leadership.
Alvin worked for a short period with the US Postal Service and then went on to become a math teacher at Browne Junior High School. He served at John Hayden Johnson Junior High School for decades until retirement from DC Public Schools. Unable to shed his passion for teaching, he decided to return to the classroom in Prince George’s County Public Schools where he worked at Suitland High School. Given the depth of this personal investment, Alvin stayed on his nieces and nephews (mainly the nephews) about the importance of education. Family members remember his many words of encouragement (which some jokingly referred to as lectures). Both he and Bettye instilled a love for learning in their children spurring them to pursue higher education.
There was never a more supportive father than Alvin Brooks. He was always the one that chauffeured Lisa and Reggie (and their friends) to the many activities and sporting events in which they participated. He was there for his nieces, nephews, and brothers-in-law as well. Alvin could often be seen with his camera taking pictures and “home movies” while cheering on the sidelines or in the audience. He enjoyed taking his family on trips to anywhere he could drive - from the mountains to the valleys to the ocean - always making sure to document the experience on film (although the family often joked about many pictures of a thumb or people with their heads cut out of the picture). Alvin passed his love of sports to his children. He took them to Washington Senators baseball games and Capital Bullets basketball games. He would also take them to Washington Redskins practices to let them collect autographs. Watching Redskins games together was a highly anticipated and celebrated family tradition.
His grandchildren, Justin and Kara, were his pride and joy. Alvin relished being a grandfather and his grandchildren were spoiled rotten by him. He doted on them and gave them whatever they desired, and took them wherever they wanted to go. Justin and Kara had the privilege of spending so much time with him as he would pick them up after school and take them around to whatever errands were planned. He loved traveling with them during summer and winter breaks to his second home, Pompano Beach. There, trips to the beach and walks to the cornersto’ were the norm. It was also in Pompano where his doting extended to the children of his brothers-in-law as well. Frequently heard was the question, “Uncle Alvin, can you …?” and Alvin would acquiesce.
Alvin will be remembered as a family man. A learned man. A selfless man. While his presence will be missed, his memory will be cherished and his legacy of dignity and cultural pride will forever keep a part of him with us. Alvin was preceded in death by his siblings Walter and Myrtle; his son, Reginald; and son-in-law, Mert. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Bettye; his daughter, Delisa; grandchildren, Justin and Kara; sisters, Shirley and Marcellene; brother, Edwin (Anna); brothers-in-law, Kaiser (Janice) and Wade (Karen); sister-in-law, Mary; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.