Oviedo, Florida – Mrs. Ella Joan Horne Brooks, 83, formerly of Peachland, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford, Florida.  Born January 8, 1938 in Anson County, NC, a daughter of the late Robert Horne, Sr. and Vergie Austin Horne.  She was also preceded in death by her husband Wally, and her sister, Betty H. Lowery.

Joan grew up in Peachland, NC and often told people with a smile "I'm an Anson County Girl".  She was raised by her loving parents Robert and Vergie Austin Horne.  She told many stories over the years of her excellent parents and the valuable lessons they taught her growing up; the value of money, the importance of honor and integrity.  They taught her about The Lord and took her to church every Sunday.  She loved her Church; Lawyer Springs Primitive Baptist Church where she was a lifelong member.  She loved Jesus and in her early 30s followed the Lord in Baptism near Deep Springs Baptist church.  She learned to play the piano and was an excellent basketball player as well.  She was very proud of her siblings and talked often of fond childhood memories with her sister Betty Joyce and Robert Jr.

Joan attended grade school and high school in Peachland, NC. and attended Wingate College.  After college she moved to Charlotte and started a career in banking working for North Carolina National Bank.  It was while working in Charlotte, she met Wally Brooks and in 1962 they were married in Peachland, NC.  During the 1960s they purchased their first home in Indian Trail, NC, welcomed their two children, Miriam, and Calvin. Joan was very devoted to her family and almost all vacations were spent with The Hornes in Peachland, NC and The Brooks in Cherryville, NC.  In 1972 the family moved to Florida where Joan continued to raise her family.  She also continued her Banking career working for Sun Bank.  During the late 70s and 80s Joan developed an excellent tan in the Florida Sunshine and often used baby oil to ensure the best results.  In the early 1990s she moved to Oviedo, FL but still loved vacationing in NC to see family.

She loved to cruise with family and friends, and she loved the beach. She was also a lifelong animal lover.  She told many stories of cats and dogs she remembered fondly growing up.  Her favorite pets in Florida were, Gigi the over-weight and toothless Chihuahua, Pepe the black Cockapoo, Pepe the skinny Chihuahua and her all-time favorite, Daisy the Chihuahua.

Joan was very proud of her many titles over the years, Aunt, Cousin, Niece, Daughter, Sister, Mother, Nana and most recently her favorite, Great-Grandmother.  She was a friend to many and will be missed dearly by us all.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Joan will be 11 AM, Saturday, October 30, 2021 by the graveside of Peachland City Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:15am – 10:15am at Morgan & Son Funeral Home.

Family left to cherish her memory include, son, Wally Calvin Brooks, Jr and his wife Mindy of Orlando, FL; daughter Miriam Askin and her husband Dan of Edgewater, FL; brother, Robert Horne, Jr. and his wife Frances of Marshville, NC; grandchildren, Austin Sorbelli, his wife Ohjay, Danny Askin, Kaylee Askin, Peyton Brooks, Kyler Brooks, David Swarthout, Jacob Cuellar, great grandchild Isla Sorbelli and her many nieces and nephews.

In leu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to your favorite pet rescue organization or to the ASPCA at https://www.aspca.org

Morgan & Son Funeral Home is serving the Brooks family.