Obituary of Hillary Raphael Brooks

Hillary Raphael Brooks

of  Kistler, WV

   Hillary Raphael “Breezy” Brooks, 68, of Kistler, went to his Heavenly home leaving his voice to carry on his musical legacy.  He departed this life on November 24, 2019, at Logan Regional Medical Center at Logan, after a short illness.

   He was born on March 27, 1951, at Braeholm, the son of the late Rufus Sr. and Jennie Margaret Lyons Brooks.

   In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Rufus Brooks, Jr.; his father-in-law who inspired him to become a musician, Leroy Sharp, Sr. and his mother-in-law, who trained him in the nursing aid field, Shirley Sharp.

   Hillary was a 1970 graduate of Man High School where he played basketball.  In his later years he enjoyed martial arts where he achieved several belts and trophies and weight lifting.  His passion was music!  Breezy was lead singer for various rock groups in his younger years however as his life evolved he gave his voice to the Lord where he continues to sing praise through his CD’s.  Breezy became a Christian many years ago and was a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church at Braeholm.  His favorite saying was “It ain’t easy being Breezy.”  Through all of his hardships he continued to sing and be upbeat.  His physical limitations did not stop him from doing the things he wanted to do and succeeding in life.  All those who encountered Breezy were greeted with a warm smile and words of encouragement.

   Those left to cherish his memory are the love of his life for 39 years and wife of 22 years, Sesalee Diane Sharp Brooks; one daughter, Natasha Brown Brisco and husband, Dwayne, of Accokeek, MD and Godsons ; one son, Aaron Collier of Germany; three grandsons; three brothers, Billy (Dreama) Brooks and Walter (Mary) Brooks, both of Boston, MA, and Tommy (Nancy) Brooks of FL; one sister, Thelma Jones of Boston, MA; sister-in-law, Regina Brooks of Middleton, OH wife of the late Rufus Brooks, Jr.;  one special aunt, Aunt Ann of Akron, OH; special friends, Ike Johnson and Tabitha Gibson, both of Kistler, Gilman and Terri Burgess, Cindy Grimmett, Jay Mills, and Sarah Wolfe, all of McNeely Hardware; and all of Sesalee’s family who were also Breezy’s family, Jackie Hendrix of Oxon Hill, MD, Lyle Sharp, Donna Sharp, and Sonjia Sharp, all of Man, Joe Sharp of Amherstdale, Nichole Sharp of Oxon Hill, MD, and Leroy Sharp, Jr. of Kister; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

   A gathering of friends and family will be held from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church at Braeholm.

   A celebration of Breezy’s life will begin at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky French assisted by Rev. Mike Pollard officiating.  Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby.

   Pall bearers will be Lyle, Joe, and Leroy Sharp, Ike Johnson, Tommy Brooks, and Robert Julius.

   Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com

   Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.