Earl Lee Brooks Sr.The "Earl of Lynchburg" drove his victory lap on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. He was born in Lynchburg on Aug. 11, 1929, to Mattie S. and Eldridge L. Brooks. He was the owner and operator of Brooks' Garage on Mayflower Drive from 1959 to 1992. He served his country in the U.S. Army. He lost the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Riley Brooks, in 1993.He was preceded in death by two sisters, Joyce B. Scott and husband, Earl, and Doris (Dot) B. Fuller and husband, Robert (Bob).He is survived by his children, Judy B. Parks and husband, James, of Hurt, Hilda B. Hicks and husband, Ray, of Rustburg, Earl L. Brooks Jr. and wife, Paula, of Madison Heights, Donna B. Skinner and husband, Mark, of Evington, and Ervin L. Brooks and wife, Cindi, of Evington. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, BJ Hicks, Tony Hicks, Michael Breeden, Earl L. Brooks III, April B. Baum, Gina B. Osborne, Drew Skinner, David Brooks and Morgan Brooks. Also surviving him are his great-grandchildren Katelyn, Ashley and Lindsey Hicks, Jon-Eric and Connor Hicks and Viggo and Nadia Baum. He is also survived by two sisters, Arlene B. Wade and husband, Ronnie, of Evington, and Edith B. Vest and husband, Calvin, of Madison Heights. He is also survived by a host of caring nieces and nephews.In his early years, he was a stunt driver with the Hollywood Hell Drivers Stunt Show. He was best known for his years in Grand National-Winston Cup Racing, which is now Sprint Cup. His career took him and his family all over the country. He had 262 starts which led to 37 top 10 finishes, three times in the nation's top 20 in points standings. He proudly ran in the Daytona 500 four times. Earl was profiled in the "Stock Car Racing Magazine" as the "Earl of Lynchburg." In 2006, he was chosen as one of the top 10 personalities of the "Well Known in Lynchburg." Earl is represented in the Lynchburg Historical Museum. He was involved in the making of several movies which starred Elvis Presley and is featured in several books about the early years of racing. He was proudly inducted into the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He belonged to the Elks Lodge and was Elk of the Year in 1981. He was a member of Moose Lodge 1727, Virginia & Carolina Early Dirt Racers and the Old Timer's Racer's Club. Earl received many awards for his years of hard work and dedication to the sport of auto racing. His most recent honor was being notified that in October he will be inducted into the Memory Lane Museum Hall of Fame in Mooresville, N.C. As Earl would say, "Thank you all for the help along the way."Those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, July 23, 2010, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel and other times at the residence of Mark and Donna B. Skinner. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Spring Hill Cemetery, with the Rev. Mike Dodson officiating.To send a condolence to the family, please visit whittenfuneralhome.com.Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Timberlake Chapel, is serving the family.
