Ernestine Brooks

Published 9:13 am Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Ernestine “Tina” Brooks, cherished Mom, Grandma, and Granny passed away April 28, 2023 at home in North Carolina. She was only 78 years old. Tina was a kind and thoughtful soul and will be missed by the many lives she touched.

Born at her grandfather’s farm, Jim Grantham, in Taylor County, Florida to Wiley Solomon and Ila Mae (Grantham) Coulliette on September 26, 1944. She grew up in the middle of 8 children and credited her early life with instilling a love for the Lord, family, and community. She graduated from Taylor County High School (1962) where not only did she excel at academics, she was a cheerleader, basketball player, and an active member of Beta Club. After graduation she left behind her familiar roots for the big city of Tallahassee, Florida, to work for Senator Pete Gibson. It was in Tallahassee where she met and fell in love with her husband Art Higginbotham. They married, lived in Orlando, Florida, and had one daughter, Reba. Around 1972 Tina came to settle in and call Bainbridge, GA her home. After her husband Art’s death she continued to raise her daughter Reba as a single mother. She later met and was married to Jimmy Brooks for 45 years. Upon coming to Bainbridge, Tina worked many years for First Port City Bank before becoming a trusted and valued staff member at The State of Georgia Department of Probation and Parole, where she dedicated 37 years of service.

Tina loved her family dearly and they were the light of her life. Her relationships with her siblings were cherished. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, colleague, and friend. She touched the lives of so many people. She will be truly missed and never, ever be forgotten. She looked forward to visits from her grandchildren, family, nieces, nephews, and friends. She instilled a passion for the outdoors and wildlife, love for FSU, and most importantly the need to cultivate and nurture a relationship with Christ. Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us we control our attitudes. We choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.

Tina is survived by her daughter Reba Huffman, and husband Todd Huffman. Forever remembered by her granddaughters, Chelsie Dee Owens, Amber Dudley and husband Kevin Dudley, great-grandchildren, Teaghan Grace Dudley and Severin Dudley. She is also loved and remembered by her sisters, Juanita Sever, Reba Aman, and Deborah Paulling. Her memory lives on in the many nieces and nephews, whom she adored and loved dearly. Her beloved Caregiver, Nancy Wingrove, will forever be remembered for the love and dedication she bestowed.

In addition to her parents and spouse she was preceded in death by her brothers; Malcolm Ray (Mack) Coulliette, James Edwin “Jimmy” Coulliette, and Lessly Coulliette, and sister Martha Renaud.

Flowers are appreciated or in Tina’s memory contributions can be made to: Wildlife Turkey Federation – www.nwtf.org  Graveside Services will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Greenville, Florida on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 11:00 am with Lee Coulliette officiating.