Mary Jo Brooks' daughter figured her mom could be a successful Mary Kay cosmetics representative.
For starters, Mrs. Brooks wore makeup. She was good with money because she'd served as treasurer for the Butts County town of Jackson. Decades ago, Jo Carole Brooks White, a Mary Kay sales director, had returned home from an annual company convention in Dallas.
"I was so re-energized and excited," Mrs. White said. "I shared the opportunity [to be a sales representative] with her because I knew she'd be perfect. And she did everything by the book. Some people, when they make a few dollars, they run out and go shopping. Not my mom."
Mrs. Brooks, 87, sold Mary Kay products for 37 years. Until three weeks ago, Mrs. Brooks' customers were still dropping by her house to claim orders. Some inventory is still in her home.
On Monday, Mary Jo Craig Brooks died from complications of pneumonia at Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Haisten Funeral Home in Jackson, which is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Henry County, Mrs. Brooks lived most of her life in Jackson. Her employment history includes years spent as clerk and treasurer for the city of Jackson. And she worked as an office manager for the late Dr. J.C. Howell of Jackson.
Initially, she sold cosmetics part-time while maintaining the office manager's gig. She'd host house parties and show products in customers' homes. Concerned for her safety, her husband, the late Louie Arthur "L.A." Brooks, wouldn't let her make house calls solo.
"He was afraid for her to go out at night," said another daughter, Nancy Pritchett of Jackson. "He would drive her and sit in the car."
In 1980, Mrs. Brooks became a full-time Mary Kay consultant. Money earned paid for vacations, home improvements and other expenses. It wasn't unusual for her to rack up $2,000 in sales from her holiday open house, said Mrs. White, her daughter.
"She treated it like Mary Kay intended," she said. "She could make more in one appointment with Mary Kay than she made as an office manager all week. "
"She was very knowledgeable about her products and kept up with everything," the Jackson woman said. "She'd call me around Thanksgiving and tell me her Christmas items were out. She had one bedroom devoted to Mary Kay products and everything would be laid out, and she knew where everything was."
Mrs. Brooks enjoyed fishing with her husband. Her favorite soap opera was "The Young & the Restless." She attended Jackson United Methodist Church.
In her May newsletter, Mrs. White paid tribute to her mother's decades-long association with Mary Kay.
"I am so grateful I did that," she said. "Those were accolades she could enjoy while she was still able."
Survivors besides two daughters include a son, Danny Brooks of Covington; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
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