FORT WORTH -- Roy LaVerne Brooks, the former vice chairwoman of the Texas Democratic Party who was active in Tarrant County politics, died Tuesday. She was 59.
Ms. Brooks was at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston when she died, said Steve Maxwell, chairman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party."Her dedication to the Democratic Party goes back many years," Maxwell said. "She had a tremendously spirited and wonderful dedication to helping other people."Ms. Brooks was vice chairwoman of the state party in 2006-08. She also served on the board of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.Friends and a former political opponent said Brooks was outspoken in her pursuits of community and political service going back more than 30 years, beginning in her home neighborhood of Como.Former Fort Worth Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks called Brooks a lifelong mentor."I heard she had been ill," Hicks said. "But when I heard that she died I didn't want to believe it. She was just so active."Hicks said she grew up observing Brooks at Democratic Party functions while accompanying her mother, senior retired Judge Maryellen Hicks."She was all about truth to power," Hicks said, "and I loved that about her."Ms. Brooks ran unsuccessfully for state representative and justice of the peace. Last year she was an unsuccessful candidate for Tarrant County commissioner in an unusual race against an incumbent with a similar name -- Roy C. Brooks."The election was conducted in a very fair and ethical way by both of us," Commissioner Brooks said. "I've known Roy LaVerne for many years; we worked together on a lot of issues over the years. I respected her commitment to community and her passion for service."A memorial wake for Ms. Brooks will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Zion Baptist Church, 4100 Horne St., in Fort Worth. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Potter House, 6777 W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas. Burial will be at Laurel Land in Fort Worth.Bill Miller, 817-390-7684Twitter: @Bill_MillerSTServices
A memorial wake for Ms. Brooks will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Zion Baptist Church, 4100 Horne St., in Fort Worth. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Potter House, 6777 W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas. Burial will be at Laurel Land in Fort Worth.
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