Rebecca Gail Brooks

Rebecca Gail Brooks, “Becky” to family and friends, drew her first breath on January 23, 1957, in Wichita Kansas, under the influence of a Sun in unconventional Aquarius. She was destined to run with a crowd interested in social progress and humanitarian ideals. She smiled for the last time in her home in Tuscaloosa, AL on August 12, 2026, at age 69. One of her last postings on social media was a quote attributed to basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal: “The older you get the more you realize how precious life is. You have no desire for drama, conflict or stress. You want good friends, a cozy home, food on the table, and people who make you happy.”

Following High School Graduation from Denver South in 1975, Becky joined the Army to see the world! The “world” turned out to be the state of Alabama. She found an interesting and varied culture, rich with tradition, unique adventures and intriguing friends who became lifelong confidants and allies, enough to convince her to make Alabama her forever home.

Following discharge from the Army in 1978 Becky earned a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Alabama, Birmingham in August 1983, followed by a Juris Doctorate in May 1986 from the University of Alabama Law School in Tuscaloosa. Here she developed a lifelong attachment – to Crimson Tide football and being a softballer herself, to the University of Alabama Women’s softball team. A fan to the very end.

From the very beginning, Becky chose to be involved with children, teens, and adults with emotional issues, psychological challenges, and educational and income constraints. Throughout her career she remained devoted to providing legal representation and services first as a Domestic Violence Coordinator and staff attorney, and later as a managing attorney for Legal Services Corp. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

She excelled in her work in Family Civil Law as both a hands-on attorney and supervising other attorneys, support staff, along with social work and law student interns. She was successful in obtaining continuing grant funding for pet projects. This included establishing and directing a Supervised Visitation Center for parents in litigation and a Fatherhood Program aimed at providing educational services, training, and coaching to young men in their roles as partners and fathers.

With an established interest and demonstrable expertise in Family Law, in 2002 Becky founded Family Solutions, Inc., a non-profit agency. Under the auspices of Family Solutions she continued writing and obtaining grant funding to subsidize a variety of legal, educational, and social support services for low-income individuals and families.

Professional Community Involvement and Awards

• Tuscaloosa County Children's Policy Council- 2003

• Tuscaloosa Bar Association: President, June 2002 -June 2003

• Supervised Visitation Center: Co-founder and director

• Tuscaloosa County Attorney of the Year Award: 1998

• Tuscaloosa County Children's Policy Council: April 2003 - April 2005

• Kiwanis Club: Member June 2000 – August 2026

• Family and Child Development Training: Credential and Trainer Certificate

• Preventive Relationship Enhancement Trainer Certificate

• Aids/HIV Consortium of West Alabama: Chairman- January 2001- April 2003

• Domestic Violence Task Force of West Alabama: Chairman 1998 – 2001

Becky will be remembered for her intelligence, wry sense of humor, incredibly kind spirit, selfless commitment to making a tangible and immediate difference in people’s lives, and unwavering devotion to friends and sports teams. Her friends included a variety of four-legged companions to whom she has always been equally attentive and loyal.

Becky’s family wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank the numerous professional colleagues and devoted friends who for decades have supported and been a source of joy and enrichment in Becky’s life. Thank you.

The fifth in a family of 10 siblings Becky is survived by her parents Ken and Bitzie Brooks, sisters C.A. Brooks, Jacky Brooks Lawrence, Suzanne Brooks Tony, and Joline Brooks, and brothers John Brooks and Lewis Brooks. Becky was preceded in death by brothers James Brooks, Kirk Brooks, and sister Kathleen Brooks Shibao.

A celebration of Becky’s life will be held on October 4, 2026, at the Hotel Capstone in Tuscaloosa, AL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter at 3140 Investigator Cousette Street, Tuscaloosa, AL.