Cato Brooks Jr.

Dr. Cato Brooks Jr., age 77, of Gary, Ind., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 2. He was preceded in death by his son, Cato Brooks III; parents, Cato Brooks Sr., and Beatrice Brooks; two sisters, one brother. He was born Jan. 26, 1940, in Forrest City, Ark. He was the Pastor Emeritus of the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church. He was the founder and pastor of the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church, 2323 W. 11th Ave., Gary, Ind., for 38 years. Dr. Brooks retired from active pastoring on Aug. 18, 2017. Dr. Brooks began his ministry on Jan. 26, 1969, in Forrest City, Ark. He was the organizing pastor of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, in Little Rock, Ark., from 1970 until May 1, 1977. He relocated his family to Indiana to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church in East Chicago, Ind. Eighteen months later, he organized Tree of Life Mission, with ten others, who had been summoned by the Lord, with him. Dr. Brooks is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Bettye J. Brooks, five children, Attorney Marva J. Davis, of Little Rock, Ark., Pastor Marvin (Emma) Davis and Shirlee Davis, of Gary, Ind., Catina Groves, of South Bend, Ind., and Pastor Terry Wayne (Monique) Brooks, of San Diego, Calif., 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two sisters, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation: Friday, 9-10 a.m. Funeral: Friday, 10 a.m. both at Christ Temple Cathedral Church of Christ (Holiness) USA, 1923 S. Arch St., Little Rock, Ark. Internment: Roselawn Memorial Park, 2801 Asher Ave., Little Rock, Ark. Repast at Delta Presents Outreach Center, 7621 W. 40th St., Little Rock, Ark., 72221, following the internment. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 72202 (501) 371-0111 "A Service You Can Trust."