Randolph County AlArchives Obituaries.....Brooks, Dr. William L.  March 1, 1948
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Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 February 2, 2024, 7:18 pm

Cleburne News
Dr. W. L. Brooks who died in Bowdon, Ga. a few weeks ago did not forget his 
native state of Alabama when he made his will.

Many old friends, as well as those interested in the Alabama Baptist Orphanage 
and in schools and churches in Randolph County, Alabama and Bowdon, Ga. will be 
gratified to know of his generosity. We reprint below the entire article about 
Dr. Brooks bequests which appeared in the Carroll County Georgian of April 15. 
Reared an orphan, he spent his early life denying himself many comforts and 
luxuries so that he might leave an estate that would help others along life's 
way that is the story of Dr. W. L. Brooks, of Bowdon, who died a few weeks ago. 
The most interesting chapter of his life's story is being told now because it 
has only now become known. The probation of his will revealed interesting facts 
that intimate friends had not known before.

M. L. Johnson, of Bowdon, executor of the estate, estimates that Dr. Brooks left 
between $75,000 and $100,000. A major portion of this estate was left to the 
Georgia Baptist Orphan age at Hapeville and the Alabama Baptist Orphans Home.

Each of these institutions will receive $20,000. Other large amounts, $10,000 to 
each, went to Mrs. Doche Hart and Mrs. Bessie Bowlen, of Oklahoma and 
California, who are nieces of Dr. Brooks.

Other blood relatives received smaller amounts. He appreciated what Roy Stewart, 
his caretaker in recent months, meant to him and left Mr. Stewart $5,000. He was 
a strong believer in the church life of his community and left $500 to the 
Bowdon Baptist Church; $400 to the Bowdon Methodist Church; $500 to the Corinth 
Church in Randolph County; $500 to the Mt. Pleasant Church near Wedowee, and 
$400 to the Dry Valley Church. The new school gymnasium at Bowdon received $500 
and the North Randolph County School, $1,000.

The doctor was reared in and around Randolph County, Alabama, and his first job 
was in Heflin. He told interesting stories of the hardships of his early life 
and of his struggle for an education and a start in business. Most of his life, 
however, was spent in Bowdon where he owned a drug business. Mrs. Brooks 
preceded him in death, and they had no children."

Additional Comments:
He & his wife are buried in Corinth Cemetery Randolph Co., AL.
The graves are now unmarked. 

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