Bessie Love Brooks

Bessie Love Brooks, born Bessie Love Mitchell was born July 25, 1951 in Cottage Grove Alabama to John Mitchell Sr. and Laverne Mitchell; both have preceded her in death, she was the oldest of six children. In 1963 her parents relocated to Los Angeles, California, where all the children were introduced to the movie industry; first one was Bessie. During her younger life she was always active in dancing, modeling, Girl Scouts, and singing in talent shows. She loved performing Diana Ross and the Supremes songs at Compton Avenue Park. Bessie was discovered while attending Willie Coven Tap Dancing School in Los Angeles where she was given an opportunity to be in several movies. She paved the way for her siblings to follow in her footsteps becoming extras with Central Castings. She was in movies such as "The Imitation of Life" she was skating down the street at the beginning of the movie. She was also in "Porgy and Bess", "Lady in the Cage" and "4th of Texas".

Bessie's education began in Los Angeles where she attended 49th Street Elementary School, followed by Carver Jr. High School, where she began to really cultivate lasting friendships. Bessie met her lifelong friend Karen. Their families were so close that Karen's mother Bay, became the godmother of her son, Steven. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School for a short time until the family bought their forever home off 110th and Figueroa. Collectively the family made this dream happen with the money they had saved working in the entertainment industry. Bessie then attended George Washington Preparatory High School (1966), until transferring to Alain LeRoy Locke High School after district re-zoning in 1967. Bessie was in the first graduating class in the Summer of 1969. While attending Locke, she was the Drill Team Captain, Student Body President, and played multiple instruments. While living her best life ever in 1968 she met and fell in love with her high school sweetheart Steven Leon Brooks, and during her senior year after maintaining straight "A's" throughout her schooling, she received a full scholarship to University of Southern California (USC).

Bessie began her college studies in September 1969 at USC. Bessie enjoyed her university experience, living in the student dormitory for the first year and eventually moving to USC apartments for married couples after marrying Steven on the Army Base in Fort Ord, California on February 11, 1970. While at USC she met her college best friend Ernestine who would later become the godmother to her daughter, Belinda. Bessie experienced racism and discrimination firsthand, when a racist teacher graded her unfairly causing Bessie to lose her scholarship the first year. In the Summer of 1970, Bessie decided to go to New York with a Jewish friend from the dorms, again racism reared its ugly head! Her friends mother informed her that she could not live under her roof because of her race. Despite so many obstacles, Bessie's great will and determination built the resilient woman she became. Bessie moved in with relatives and found a summer job while exploring the east coast. Just because Bessie lost her scholarship, she wanted nothing more than to complete her education, so she worked as a part time sales associate and mannequin model for Sears displaying fashion clothes after completing Roebucks Charm School. She also held a job on campus at the Community Action Coordinating Council as their secretary. Bessie was always a hard worker who excelled in school, so she paid her own way through college, and never looked back. True to Bessie form, she was very active on college campus as well; she attended football games, joined the Black Student Union and at the urge of Karen, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority becoming a SOROR. Bessie graduated from USC, obtaining her bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1973. Later in life, she joined the Los Angeles Delta Sigma Theta Los Angeles Chapter and held the office of Secretary and Finance.

After graduating from college, Bessie experienced racism once again while job hunting. She expressed to Ernestine that she felt her skin color was the problem! After being reminded of her intelligence, personality, and the fact that she was a beautiful black woman with a USC degree, she was convinced that nothing could stop her. This journey in life helped her mature into an independent and confident black woman. She got her first job after graduation with the County of Los Angeles Department of Social Services as an Eligibility Worker and then moved on to the State of California's Franchise Tax Board in Long Beach as a Tax Collector. Bessie was tasked with finding the money people tried to hide from the State. As a caring, person; Bessie would work with the businesses trying to prevent closures. Bessie was a blessing to many and retired in 2006 after nearly 30 years of service.

In March of 1983, Bishop John Mitchell Jr. (Pastor of CCC Alexandria now Upper Marlboro) invited Steven to a Sunday morning service at Christian's Community Center of Los Angeles aka (3CLA). In July 1983, Steven acknowledged his call to the ministry, (resulting in him becoming Pastor Steven Brooks of CCC Fort Worth Texas). Steven invited his two sisters Laurine Howard and Marie Amann (all three of them have proceeded her in death) and their families resulting in the Brooks family membership to the church. In the early 1990's Bessie also started attending 3CLA she excepted Yeshua as her Lord and Savior being filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Bessie became a faithful member joining the Cathedral Choir, Tape Ministry, Nursery Dept. as well as working in the Hospitality Dept. When she turned 65 Bessie was installed as one of the Church Mothers. She remained in her positions until her passing in 2022.

Bessie was devoted to her children, family, in-laws and friends. She was a supportive person to those close to her. To sum up her life, Bessie was always competitive and excelled at everything she touched. She married the love of her life; Steven, paid for her education to USC, sold homes for Century 21 and LT Butler Enterprises Real Estate, sold jewelry for Jewels By Park Lane, volunteered in campaigns for Marquerite Archie-Hudson, opening her home for families in need and as a voting site. She enjoyed traveling and learning to speak Spanish, playing cards and winning trophies in Bid Whist tournaments.

Left to honor her legacy: her devoted children; daughter, Belinda Chantel Brooks-Doss (Reginald), son, Steven Leon Brooks II, play daughter Rosalinda Newsome, six grandchildren; Marshan Brooks-Finley, Jazzmine Doss, Airelle Doss, Leyoni Brooks, Natanielle Doss, and Steven Leon Brooks III, brothers and sisters John Hence Mitchell Jr, (Lynette), Gyso Ann Johnson-Clinton, Darrell Mitchell (Georgie), Verna Darlene Stoot, (Michael), and Toni Denise Nichols, (Thomas); in-laws, (Jackie), Willis (Leslie), Robert, and Valerie Brooks, a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends