Kathleen Anne Brooks

Kathleen Anne Gardner Brooks, aged 80, of Abilene, TX passed away on March 21, 2022 at her home in Abilene, TX.

Visitation will be Friday, March 25 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Piersall Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 26, at Piersall Funeral Directors. The service will be live-streamed through the Piersall Funeral Directors website. Burial and graveside service will follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, TX on March 28 at 1:00 PM.

Kathleen was born in Dallas, TX to Andrew and Alice Gardner on December 22, 1941. Kathleen was a graduate of Highland Park High School where she played the bagpipes for the “Highlander Lassies.” She then went on to receive undergraduate degrees in both history and English at the University of North Texas, formally North Texas State University, graduating cum laude . She completed her master’s degree in American History at Colorado State University. After obtaining her graduate degree, she went on to earn thirty additional graduate hours in literature at East Texas State University.

Kathleen married Patrick Brooks on June 29, 1968 in Dallas, TX in the Christian College of the Southwest auditorium. Later, this space would be dedicated in 2003 as the “Kathleen Brooks Theater” by Dallas Christian Schools in recognition of her distinguished teaching career. She was a beloved English and history teacher, serving most of her career at Dallas Christian School from 1979 until her retirement in 2008. Upon her very short retirement, Kathleen moved to Abilene to be closer to her daughters and grandsons, where she again taught history and English from 2008 to 2020 at Abilene Christian School. A longtime member of Alpha Delta Kappa, the International Honorary Organization for Women Educators, she received multiple teaching awards throughout her career and was recognized in 2015 as the Texas Christian Schools Association Teacher of the Year.

Kathleen worked faithfully alongside her husband Patrick as he served as a college minister in Mississippi and preacher in various churches in Texas. In the 80s, Kathleen was also vital in establishing the English as a Second Language program through the Highland Park Church as they served the many Cambodian refugees then arriving in the Dallas area. At Abilene Christian School, Kathleen was especially devoted to the international students of ACS. In Abilene, Kathleen was a faithful member of the Highland Church of Christ.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her father and mother, Andrew and Alice Gardner and her uncle and aunt, Roy and Kathryn Braden.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Patrick Brooks; her sister Andretta Lowry and husband, Jack; her daughters Jana Beck and husband, Richard, and Bethany Brooks and partner, Austin Rutland; grandsons, Brenden and Aidan Beck; and a close niece and nephews.

Memorials and donations may be given to the scholarship programs of Dallas Christian School and Abilene Christian School.

The family of Kathleen wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Joseph and Mary Crumbliss, the Hendrick Hospital staff, Caring Senior Service, Kinder Hearts Home Health and Hospice, and Encompass Health.