Elaine April Brooks (a. 72yrs), resident of Wheaton, IL, was born on the 28th of April 1947 to James and Elizabeth Thompson at Cook County Hospital. Raised on the Westside of Chicago. As a child, she did well academically, always getting high grades, and impressing her teachers with her articulate, diligent nature. Of course, like any child, she was adventurous, and after school could often be found atop the highest tree. She spent her usual day-to-day life in her grandmother's house, helping to cook, clean, sew, etc. She loved to serve wherever she was needed; and her servitude became a hallmark of her character. She went to high school, and later Harold Washington College.

At 17 years old, she & her first husband, Donald Ferguson, welcomed their first child, Darnell Ferguson (Donnie). She cared for him, while still going to school and working full-time to support her new young family. Two years later she and Donald had their second child, a daughter named Sandra Rene (Sandy).
Elaine remarried many years later to William Thomas Brooks, who preceded her in death. From that marriage came Rodney Walter Brooks, and she also gained another son, William Brooks Jr., from William's previous marriage. She was always a dedicated mother, fighting to give her children the best of this life. She was their advocate, their safety net, their shoulder, their confidant & their best friend, always demonstrating her faith to the Lord.

Elaine became a member of Fairfield Baptist Church nearly 50 years ago, and utilized her sharp mind to help wherever needed, mostly in the finance office. She was always known to be a woman of strong faith & loyalty. In her later years she would often sit alone in her study to read her Bible. Her dynamic combination of sassy-classy made her beloved by all who knew her. She was certainly known as a no-nonsense person and made sure everyone knew that she was "not to be played with". But she still had a giving, generous heart, and was glad to help anyone wherever she could (& sometimes, even where she couldn't…) Elaine expected the best from everyone, did the best herself, and worked to bring out the best in everyone around her.

She retired from the Central States Insurance Company in 2011 where she had been employed over 30 years. She was known by all her coworkers as "a very classy lady". Her work ethic and attention to detail made her one of the top performers at her job.

After retirement she went on to serve at Fairfield Baptist church, doing the work of the Lord until He saw it fit for her to return home. Elaine is now able to rest and rejoice as she joins both her mother and father, brothers & sisters, and other loved ones that have left this world.

Elaine is survived by her siblings: Joyce, Simeon, Charles Jr., Kenny, and June; her children: Darnell (and Joss wife, Shataqua) Ferguson, Sandra Antwi & Rodney (and Joss wife, Rana) Brooks; her grandchildren: Erica, Eric & Erin Nwachukwu, Ernest Jr. & Elizabeth Antwi, and lastly Ava, Eden & Athena Brooks. She is also survived by a host of beloved nieces & nephews. Her life will continue to touch the lives of many through her family & loved ones.

A visitation will be held Saturday, March 21, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Fairfield Baptist Church , 1449 W 51st St., Chicago, IL 60609 where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.