Mae Ward Brooks

Mae Ward Brooks, 100, of Oakboro, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, February 2, 2026, at her home. Affectionately known by many as “MaMae,” she lived a life marked by faith, devotion, and service to others. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Oakboro, with Rev. Jonathan Waits and Rev. Dr. Terrell Watts officiating. Burial will follow at Oakboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. Born June 29, 1925, in Brunswick County, Mae was the daughter of the late John Butler Ward and Rosa Bennett Ward. After the loss of her birth mother, she was lovingly raised by her second mother, Linnie B. Ward, whose care and guidance were a blessing throughout Mae’s life. Mae is lovingly survived by her children: Roy W. Brooks, Jr. (Marilyn) of Stanfield; John M. Brooks (Susan) of Wilmington; Linnie B. Wright (Joe) of Lawndale; and Philip W. Brooks (Stephanie) of Kure Beach. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ashley Brooks, Roy Brooks, Brent Brooks, Melanie Brooks, Joseph Wright II, Maggie Wright, Hannah Tapia Del Valle, Harrison Brooks, Zane Davis, and Courtney Davis; and by fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Washington Brooks, Sr., in 1968; a daughter-in-law, Rowena Brooks; two sisters; and three brothers. Mae graduated from Waccamaw High School and later joined the war effort by working in the shipyard offices in Wilmington, where she met the love of her life, a young sailor from Oakboro. Roy Brooks and Mae Ward were married in the summer of 1944 and raised four children together. As a devoted and busy mother, Mae earned her undergraduate and master’s degree in education and taught for 25 years at Oakboro Elementary School. Following the tragic loss of her husband, she supported her family not only through teaching, but also by selling World Book Encyclopedias, teaching Head Start during the summers and taught adult reading at Stanly Community College. Mae lived a life devoted to her family, her community, and especially her church. She faithfully delivered food to shut-ins for many years. One memorable lasting legacy was the “Two or More” prayer group, which she founded with her dear friend Jewel Parker. The group met around Mae’s kitchen table for 40 years, a testament to her steadfast faith and commitment to prayer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Oakboro Building Fund (P.O. Box 10, Oakboro, NC 28129) or Tillery Compassionate Care (960 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001). Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is honored to serve the Brooks family.

Mae Ward Brooks

June 29, 1925 - February 2, 2026