Susan "Rachel" Elaine (nee: Smith) Brooks, 78, of Lebanon, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024. Born on February 26, 1946 to Harold and Helen (nee: Erwin) Smith in New Castle, IN.

Rachel, as she was lovingly known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.  Her voyage of grace on this earth was one marked by a great faith in God, a deep love for others, and an unwavering commitment to prayer.

Rachel graduated valedictorian of Cadiz [IN] High School in 1964.  She then went to Ozark Christian College and was part of the Master's Messengers traveling ministry team.

Following Ozark, Rachel then went on to Ball State University where she became one of the founders of the Christian Campus Ministry and she would graduate from there with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

It was at the Ball State Campus Ministry that she met Bill Brooks.  They were married on March 7, 1970 in Wilkinson, IN.   They started their married journey in Indiana; Hagerstown, New Castle, Richmond, and Brownsburg.  Then, in 1985, they moved to Lebanon, OH because Rachel loved the town and the surrounding area.

As a lifelong educator, Rachel was a camp counselor, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a Sunday School superintendent and she would go on to create lessons and curriculum to teach babies and toddlers about Jesus.

She taught Third Grade at Hagerstown [IN] Elementary School and 4 year old Kindergarten at Lebanon [OH] Christian School.

She co-founded AngelBrook alongside her sister friend, Diane Angilella.  Together, they created a pediatric dental education program as an innovative way to educate young children about what to expect when they went to the dentist.

She would go on to own and run Brooks Tutoring Service where she taught numerous children to read and thrive in school.  Later, she took an active role in teaching her granddaughters in the schoolroom they affectionately called Brookswood Academy.

Her passing has left a hole in the hearts of her family, friends and students as she had a profound impact on the lives of those who were blessed to know her.

Preceded in death by her parents, one son, Matthew Brooks, her brother, Robert Smith and one brother-in-law, Charles Kent. She is survived by her husband, Bill Brooks, one son, Michael (Gretchen) Brooks of Lebanon, her daughter, Stephanie (Christopher) Felts of Batavia, her daughter-in-law, Leah Glithero, two sisters, Judy Kent and Carol DePauw (John), her sister in law, Myra Smith, and 7 grandchildren, Rachel, Caitlyn, Sarah, Grace, Audrey, Abigail and Amelia.

A private graveside service will be held at the Turtlecreek Cemetery on November 22, 2024. The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Susan "Rachel" Elaine Brooks will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 1:30P at Friendship Baptist Church at 10600 Ohio 73, Harveysburg, Ohio 45032.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Generations of Grace Curriculum c/o Grace Media.

Donations can be made by visiting https://www.gracechurch.org/gracemedia

Livestream will be hosted on YouTube Channel   @kenlarock7490