Virginia Mae (Kessler) Brooks, age 88, of Mifflin, Ohio, passed away January 29, 2026. She was born January 12, 1938 in Sparta, Ohio to James Mason and Dorothy (Keller) Kessler. She graduated in 1956 from Sparta High School then married George David Brooks in 1957. They were married 62 years and raised two daughters, Jeanna Brooks Burrell and Tammi Brooks.

Virginia was a military wife for more than 33 years and the family traveled extensively. She was very active in her daughters’ lives serving as softball coach, Spinning Jennies 4-H Club Advisor, and FHA Mom. She sold Avon, Stanley, and Rubbermaid. She worked in circulation for The Ashland Times-Gazette. Virginia was active for decades on the Mifflin Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and served as president. She also served as the Ohio Reform Party president and was known for her booths at the Ashland County Fair. She was also a frequent, passionate letter to the editor writer. Virginia was also well known for her crocheting and most who knew her were recipients of her afghans, handmade with love. She was a lifelong member of the Willow Grove Advent Christian Church in Mt. Liberty, Ohio. Virginia touched many lives and her daily Good Mornings and Good Nights will be missed by so many.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Col. George David Brooks; her parents; and siblings Betty Turner of Mt. Liberty, OH and Kenneth Kessler of Mt. Vernon, OH. She is survived by her daughters, Jeanna Brooks Burrell (Richard) of Sunbury, OH; Tammi Brooks of Reynoldsburg, OH; granddaughter Tessa Burrell of Delaware, OH; step grandchildren Trisha and Brittany Harvey of Las Vegas, NV, and Anthony Harvey of Columbus, OH; great grandson Christopher Harvey of Pataskala OH; siblings Donald (Jan) Kessler, of Sparta, OH; Rick (Katherine) Kessler of Phillipi, WV; and Kimi (Sam) LoPiccolo of Sparta, OH; sister-in-law Janice Clarke of Clarksville, IN; cousins Jo Ann Holtrey, Harley James (Barb) Hanna, and Larry (Wendi) Hanna; many nieces and nephews and great and great great nieces and nephews as well as her beloved dog Izzie and cats Tippy and Lilly.

Calling hours will be Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M, with funeral services immediately following at Willow Grove Advent Christian Church, 7192 Columbus Rd., Mt. Liberty, Ohio, Pastor Larry Brown officiating.

Those attending are asked to bring one of Virginia’s afghans to display. The funeral service will be live streamed on Saturday at 11:00 A.M. on the Willow Grove Advent Christian Church’s FaceBook page. Burial will be at Bloomfield Cemetery, 791 Co. Rd. 204, Centerburg, OH 43011, with lunch following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Willow Grove Advent Christian Church or the Mifflin Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, c/o Eric Oswalt, 1137 Co. Rd. 30A, Ashland, OH 44805.

Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, Sunbury, Ohio is honored to serve the family of Virginia Brooks. Please visit www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com to leave an online condolence.

Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel

Website: www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com