Janice M. Brooks

 Janice Marie Brooks was born in Hobbs, NM on September 13, 1955, to Jessie V. Brooks and Margene (Young) Brooks. Growing up Janice was active in the Corzette, and Markette girls clubs that were affiliates of the Lovely Ladies Federated Arts Club. She was a member of the Wesley Singers and the Hobbs High School Drama Club. Janice graduated from Hobbs High School in 1973 and received both her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Math from the University of New Mexico. She was a Lobo through and through and was extremely proud of her alma mater. When she graduated from UNM in 1977, she was immediately hired by the Hobbs Public Schools to teach math at Houston Jr. High school. While there, she also coached girls’ volleyball and basketball which started a passion for coaching. In 1990, Janice was offered a teaching job at Hobbs High School. Janice’s duties included not only teaching math but serving as an assistant track coach where she specialized in the girls’ triple jump and long jump. After 36 years in the classroom, Janice retired from teaching in 2013. However, her love of math and teaching drew her into tutoring at the Hobbs Alternative High school and she was a familiar presence there until her passing. She wanted to make sure each student had a strong math foundation for success.

Janice was an active member of the Hobbs NAACP and was serving as treasurer at the time of her death. She supported civic organizations and was always willing to support school fundraisers. 

For most people, she was a quiet presence. However, she could talk a blue streak or rather a green and gold streak because inevitably the conversation would turn to her beloved Green Bay Packers. Janice was not just a fan…She was a FAN. Her office walls were bright green, and she had an extensive collection of Green Bay memorabilia. We are convinced that she sought out relationships with Cowboy fans just so she could irritate them. 

She is preceded in death by her father, Jessie V. Brooks; her mother, Margene Young Brooks; sisters, Geneva L. Dixon, Dorothy Swanson and Betsy Brooks; brothers, Wilford Dixon, Jr., Claud Brooks and Frankie Joe Brooks.

She lives to mourn her death and celebrate her life: her brother Tommy Brooks and his wife Brenda of Albuquerque, NM; her brother Jessie Brooks (Atlanta GA); niece Shanin Brooks (Westerville, OH); niece Aja N. Brooks and husband Johnny Osborn and their son Emerson Osborn (Albuquerque, NM); niece Jana R. Brooks and husband Rafael Vigil (Albuquerque, NM), sister-in-law Gail Brooks (Trotwood, OH), and lifelong friend; Ramona Haynes and numerous cousins, adopted “nieces” and friends and thousands of former students.