Joseph Franklin Brooks

Bristol, VA – Joe F. “Joe” Brooks, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA, after a courageous battle with leukemia.  Joe was born in Welch, WV on May 13, 1950, to the late Robert E. and Naomi Stiltner Brooks.  He graduated from Pikeville High School in Pikeville, KY and from East Tennessee State University.

After graduation, Joe began work in the jewelry business and established his career in the Tri-Cities, TN area where he owned and operated the 4 C’s Jewelry Store for many years.  After his retirement he began working for Wilkerson Jewelry Associates helping private jewelers retire and close their businesses.  During his second career he and his wife Janice traveled all over the United States conducting retirement sales.  This was an exciting and fulfilling time of their lives getting to see many parts of America together. 

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Gilmer Smith.  He is survived by his wife, Janice Smith Brooks; mother-in-law, Euna Smith; four children, Chad (Jodie) Brooks of Kingsport, TN, Jennifer Brooks of Kingsport, TN, Michael (Sindy) Coates of Bristol, VA, and Treyton (Ana) Coates of Bristol, VA; three grandchildren, William Brooks, Hunter Leonard, and Heather Wilson; sister, Sherry (Kevin) Kinney of Boscobel, WI; brother, Robert E. (Susie) Brooks, Jr. of Lenoir City, TN; brothers-in-law, Gilmer Smith, Jr. and John (Monica) Smith; and several nieces and nephews. 

Visitation with the family will be held 1-2 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2023, in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.  Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Pastor Russell Hays officiating. 

The family would like to extend special thanks to the special care teams of UVA Charlottesville, Ballad Health Cancer Center, and Dr. William Astin of Bristol, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, or to the Leukemia Association in Mr. Brooks’ name.

The family of Joseph F. “Joe” Brooks is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.