Mrs. Jo Ann Buff Brooks, died in her home on Jan. 8, 2016 in Advance at the age of 78.

Survivors: her husband, Louie Barnwell Brooks Jr.; her son, Louie Barnwell Brooks III “Barney” of Mocksville; her daughter, Kara Susan Brooks Freeman “Suzy”; son-in-law, Brian William Freeman of Cape Coral, Fla.; her sister, Frances Buff Caudle of Mildland; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer Bankston, Troy Brooks, Trent Brooks, Joshua Crickard and Jac Crickard; and 2 great-grandchildren, Brantley and Brianna Brooks.

Mrs. Brooks was born on April 11, 1937 in Lincolnton, to Lee Roy and Cara Cagle Buff. She graduated from Myrtle Beach High School and attended Kings Business College in Charlotte. She married Louie Barnwell Brooks Jr., her high school sweetheart. After moving to the Winston-Salem area, she began working for Wilson Covington Construction as secretary and manager of Reynolda Manor Shopping Center (where she worked for Jack Covington for 37 years). Mrs. Brooks and her husband enjoyed their retirement as they traveled the world. She and Mr. Brooks loved cruises and were usually off on a new adventure several times a year. She enjoyed gardening in her yard, growing flowers and painting.

A memorial service was to be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel by the Rev. Jerry Webb. The family was to receive friends following the service.

Memorials: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Condolences: www.hayworth-miller.com.