Mattie Sue Brooks, 95
October 4, 1930 – March 17, 2026
Okolona- Mattie Sue Sullivan Brooks had a long, wonderful earthly pilgrimage. She went to be with her Creator and loved ones gone before her at 11:15 pm from Sanctuary Hospice House on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Mattie Sue was 95 years old. Born on Oct. 4, 1930, she was the daughter of Eugene Sullivan and Viola Tacker Sullivan, both pioneer families in East Chickasaw County. Mattie grew up in the “Shake Rag” community southwest of Okolona. She graduated from Egypt High School in the class of 1949-the last Senior class before the school consolidated with Okolona School System.
Mattie Sue was a homemaker and housewife all her life. She and Travis Brooks were married in 1950, a marriage of 37 years until his death in 1987. A beautiful lady with strong features, she made her home a haven for family and many children who simply but proudly called her Granny. Mattie Sue grew up attending Mt. Olive Baptist Church, the Church of her heritage but later in life, moved her membership to First Baptist Church-Okolona where she was an active member until her health began to fail in the last 10 years. She had resided for 9 years at Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona where she was well cared.
She loved sports, college and pro and was a devoted fan of Mississippi State and Ole Miss-and the Atlanta Braves and Falcons and all major league baseball teams. A master cook, Mattie Sue was always cooking for her family, her Church friends and anyone who dropped by her home. She was a great wife and mother and doted over her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren until her death. Mattie Sue left a big footprint on all she loved and cared for.
A service celebrating her life will be at 2 PM on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Rev. Dr. Randy Lewman, her pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Boone’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon-service time Friday only at Holland Funeral Directors-Okolona Chapel, 300 West Main St., Okolona, MS. 38860
Mattie Sue is survived by her children, Susan Brooks Gregory (Jack, deceased) of Okolona, Fred Brooks (Zoe) of Houston, Tx, Sandra Brook Brewer (Steve) and Kitty Brooks Word of Wren; her grandchildren, Amanda Hicklin (Eric) of Nashville, Michael Carter (Brandy) , Brad Brewer and Stephanie Brewer and Emily Word all of Wren, Mackenzie Jackson and Sloan May; 9 great grandchildren, Riley, Sidni, Thomas, Macie, Will, Jurdan, Sullivan and Savannah; several nieces, nephews and cousins and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Viola Sullivan, her husband, Travis and all her siblings, Emogene Maurer, Buddy Sullivan, Dan Sullivan and Doris Sullivan Hill.
Memorials may be made to the Boone’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Bank of Okolona, P. O. Box 306, Okolona, Ms. 38801. Condolences may be posted on Mattie Sue’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Obits
Pallbearers will be Thomas Carter, Michael Carter, Sam Mitchel, Jurdan May, Will Brewer and Brian Wise.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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