Ruby Marie Brooks, 74, of Van Buren, the widow of Lyman "L.A." Brooks, died Thursday, July 13, 2006, at Sparks Hospital in Ft. Smith. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas and Delilah Marie Hicks Fortson. She had been a Leachville resident before making her home in Van Buren three and a half years ago.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Fortson; a brother, Robert Fortson; two sisters, Sue Hodge and Barbara Blocker.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Melvin McCoy of Leachville, Mary and Allan Lewis of Van Buren, Terrie and Ed Broyles of Barling; five brothers, Billy Joe Fortson of McDonough, Ga., Earl Fortson of Barnsville, Ga., Charles Fortson of Hackett, Ronnie Fortson of Manila, and Randall Fortson of Hornersville, Mo.; a sister, Shirley Hamilton of Hackett; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Howard Funeral Chapel in Leachville with David Lawrence officiating. Burial was in the Gainsville Cemetery near Paragould.

Serving as pallbearers were Brent Cox, Chad McCoy, Joe Black, Dean Fortson, Melvin McCoy, Allan Lewis and Ed Broyles.

To sign the online guest register, log on to www.howardfuneralservice.com.