Janis Faye Cossey Brooks
Brooks Janis Faye Cossey Brooks went home to meet Jesus on April 14, 2024, surrounded by her family with the same grace she lived her life with.
Janis was born January 24, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Ralph Eugene Cossey and Elsie Marie Northcutt Cossey. She was raised in Tribbey, Oklahoma and developed the love of basketball at a young age. After graduating from Tribbey High School in 1966, Janis attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. In college she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and during her free time you could find her playing basketball. Janis graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Education but continued toward her master’s degree while teaching at Butner High School. This would mark the beginning of a three-decade long career in the teaching community.
During her time at Butner, while at a basketball tournament, Janis ran into Randy Brooks whom she met years prior while at East Central University. Little did she know, she had just been reunited with the love of her life. Janis and Randy married on May 20, 1972, in Tecumseh, Oklahoma. After completing her master’s in education, the two moved back to Randy’s hometown of Wewoka. Shortly thereafter, the couple welcomed their son Jeffrey Neil Brooks, and the family would call Wewoka home.
After asserting herself as a pillar in the Wewoka teaching community, Janis would continue to touch the lives of each of her students in a meaningful and impactful way. Many of her students fondly remember “Mrs. Brooks” for her compassion, personal interest in their education, and the creation of the Wewoka Science Fair. She was often found working late with her students helping with their projects all while providing a kind, caring environment for each student to learn. In 2006, Janis retired from Wewoka High School, but continued to teach GED classes and touch the lives of even more students. No matter where she went, everyone knew Mrs. Brooks and had their own positive experience to share about her classes.
After her retirement, Janis enjoyed frequent visits with her son and daughter-in-law and lived for the opportunity to watch her precious grand dogs, Bandit and Stella. She loved meeting up with friends and sorority sisters to shop, or just a chance to catch up. Janis was always the first person to step in to help when someone close to her, whether family or friend, was in need. She remained a selfless caretaker, confidant, mother, and friend until the very day the Lord called her home.
On April 14, Janis was reunited with her parents, Gene and Elsie Cossey, her in-laws Jim and Lillian Brooks and her brother Joe Cossey. She is survived by her husband of nearly 52 years, Randy Brooks, son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Jeri Brooks, niece Jacy Coats, great-nieces Bren, Sunny, and Hope, and her faithful companion, Jetta Peach.
Janis’s Celebration of Life will take place Tuesday, April 23, 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Wewoka, 301 S. Mekusukey Ave, Wewoka, Oklahoma, 74884. Arrangements will be provided by Crawford Funeral Home, 610 Northwest 178th Street, Edmond, Oklahoma 73012. In honor of Janis’ love of color, the family requests those in attendance for the celebration of life share her love by wearing your favorite colors.
The family thanks all that have reached out with thoughts and prayers. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent directly to Wewoka High School Scholarship Fund, in memory of Janis Brooks, P.O. Box 870, Wewoka, OK 74884.