Dr. Vera Mae Brooks
Wed, 07/20/2016 - 8:43pm
News Staff
Dr. Vera “Vicky” Mae Brooks of Buford, Ga., formerly of Littleton, Colo., passed away July 8, 2016 at the age of 82. Born Feb. 7, 1934 in Battle Lake, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Gilbert and Hazel Swanton. Mrs. Brooks, a resident of Buford, Ga. for the last five years also lived in Colorado for 49 years. Prior to her retirement in 1993, Dr. Brooks earned the distinction as the first woman superintendent of public schools in Sheridan, Colo. She spent 30 years serving others in the educational field as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and superintendent. Dr. Brooks earned three degrees from Western State College and in 1980 earned her Ph.D. from the University of Northern Colorado. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1972, being recognized for her innovative teaching skills as well as serving as secretary of the Gunnison Colorado Education Association. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Brooks had articles published in national educational magazines, the Denver Post and wrote manuals for individual mathematics programs for elementary schools. She was recognized for being an outstanding leader in the educational field. She married Dr. Gordon P. Brooks in 1979. He precedes her in death as well as her first husband Lee Howard Hall. Also preceding her in death was her son, Bradford John Hall, her sister Marilyn and her brother Donovan. Vera leaves behind her daughter Lisa Hardiman and son in law, Michael Hardiman and dear friend Jim Dorsey. A private service was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016.
