- Date Of Birth: March 24, 1925
- Date Of Death: October 16, 2013
- State: Maryland
After a lengthy illness, Pauline Audrienne Brooks (affectionately known as “Momsie”) quietly and peacefully, departed this life and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. She was born March 24, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Margaret Ward. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and remained committed to her faith in God.
She attended public schools in Philadelphia. She graduated from William Penn High School and was valedictorian of her class. After graduation, she was accepted and enrolled at New York University to study medicine. After completing three years of study, she was forced to withdraw due to a debilitating illness. It was extremely difficult for a black female to attend New York University during the late 1930’s and 1940. However, she did earn enough credits to teach in the Philadelphia school system.
Pauline met and was united in holy matrimony with William H. Brooks. She was employed as a teacher in Philadelphia and also worked for the Naval Supply Depot as an equipment specialist. Two full time jobs were not too much for her even though it was necessary for her to care for her aging parents. She was the first black teacher to be selected to teach at an all white school. She was also the first black employee to be selected to Perform Provisioning at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia. She retired in July 1974 after twenty eight years of faithful and outstanding service. After retirement, she was selected to teach English to many Chinese doctors that were involved in an exchange program at Temple University.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Alneita Brazier. Pauline leaves to cherish her memory one son, Chauncey, two grandsons, Chauncey II and Byron as well as numerous friends and surrogate children. Many claimed her as mother, grandmother, godmother, aunt and friend. She had love for them all.
Pauline wanted her family and friends to remember:”I have achieved success when I have lived well, laughed often, and loved much; when I have enjoyed other women and gained respect of men and loved little children; when I have left the world better than I found it whether by improving a little of one’s self esteem or by being a friend to the friendless; when I have looked for the best in others and given the very best I have to offer; then and only then will my life be an inspiration and my memory a benediction.”
