Celebration of Life Helene Brookins

EULOGISTThe Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland

Presiding Prelate, Fifth Episcopal District, AMEC

OFFICIANTThe Reverend J. Edgar Boyd

Senior Pastor, First AME Church of Los Angeles

11:00 AMSaturday, August 3, 2013

FIRST AME CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES2270 South Harvard BoulevardLos Angeles, California 90018

Acknowledgements

~Perhaps you sent a �oral piece, if so we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words as any friend could say: Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day, whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much whatever the part~

The Brookins Family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support and generosity at the loss of a much loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and sister in ministry.

A special appreciation is extended to Bishop T. Larry Kirkland and Mrs. Mary L. Kirkland, Pastor Edgar Boyd and First Lady Florence Miles-Boyd, and the congregation of First AME Church of Los Angeles and the Women’s Missionary Society. Additional thanks are extended to our dear friends Bishop C. Garnett Henning & Former Supervisor Mrs. Ernestine Henning, Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot, Bishop Vinton Anderson and Former Supervisor Mrs. Vivienne L. Anderson, United States Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Rev. Cecil Murray, Rev. Emanuel & Juanita Wasson , Michael Ellison-Lewis, Jackie Dupont-Walker, Eloise Danger�eld, Faye Combs, Margo Harris, Alpha Timbo, Percy Pinkney, Quintine Brenson, Shirley Phillips, Jackie Sneed, Carma Love, Errol Briggs, Pastor Frank M. Reid, III,Mrs. Marlaa Reid and the Los Angeles Sentinel .

Steven and Marina would especially like to thank our immediate and extended Brookins family and cherished friends. We could not have gone through this time without you and hold each one of you close to our hearts.

OBITUARYHelene Winona Brookins, 86, a leader, visionary and humanitarian transitioned peacefully to eternal life on July 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV. Born to Charles Howard and Juanita Bland Howard on April 27, 1927 in Sterling, KS, she was the eldest of three sisters and one brother. The family moved to Pasadena in 1940 where she studied at Pasadena College. She was known even early on for her love of art, fashion, and interior design. She could often be heard saying “Now, that’s sharp!” when something caught her eye. She accepted Christ at an early age and met her future husband H.H Brookins at church in Topeka, KS. They soon married and were blessed with one beloved son, Steven Hartford Brookins, in 1956.

She dedicated her life to serving the AME church starting as First Lady of Brown Chapel in Topeka, KS and then St. Luke AME Church in Lawrence, KS. She assisted her husband with erecting a new edi�ce when she was First Lady of St. Paul AME Church, Wichita, KS, which still stands today. In 1959, the family moved to Los Angeles to serve at First AME Church. During her time, from 1959 to 1973, the membership of FAME grew and reached achievements that have enriched lives and souls across the city and nation. Again, she was by her husband side when the congregation was moved from the historic 8th & Towne location to the new and much acclaimed present day edi�ce at 2270 S. Harvard in Los Angeles West Adams District.

Helene went on to serve as Episcopal Supervisor in the 17th Episcopal District in Southern Africa where she worked on human rights and humanitarian concerns in the midst of Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence. She farmed, collected food, clothing and medical supplies to support the local churches and freedom �ghters. Africa, she said, brought her personal and spiritual happiness and forever was the motivation behind her life’s work with children and the socially disadvantaged. Her love of African art led her to collect many modern and traditional African art pieces which she presented as an exhibition at the UCLA center for African Studies.

Following her time in Africa, she returned to Los Angeles to serve as the Episcopal Supervisor of the 5th Episcopal District encompassing 14 states of the mid-west and western states. Her time was largely devoted to leading the work of the Women’s Missionary Society as Supervi-sor. Inspired by her work, with the African missionaries, she introduced a change in the missionary uniform from the traditional white to black and leopard to honor the missionary attire worn by the women of Southern Africa.

She was a longtime member of the Lullaby Guild, joining in 1964 and serving as president from 1983 to 1985. She believed in the foundation of the Lullaby Guilds mission of support-ing the Children’s Home Society of California. She enjoyed supporting a�airs likes the Ebony Fashion Fair, a nationwide event sponsored in Los Angeles by the Lullaby Guild. She was featured in Jet magazine presenting a check from the fundraiser to the Children Homes Society of California . She was also a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction and served on the board of the Los Angeles Community Service.

Helene was honored by the National Council of Negro Women, Richard Allen Foundation and PBS, and by the City of Los Angeles on July 12, 2003. The City declared the day be known as “Helene Brookins Day” for her life of community service. She concluded her years of service with ten years at the Youth Intervention Program as a social worker.

Helene was preceded in death by her father, Charles Howard, and mother, Juanita Bland Howard, dear sister Billie Howard, nephew Michael Brookins and former husband Bishop H. Hartford Brookins.

Helene leaves to rejoice her wonderful life and legacy, son, Steven H. Brookins, granddaugh-ter, Marina Brookins, sisters, Pollyanna Moore and Charlotte Smith, brother Jim Howard and nephews Kevin Brookins, Je�rey Brookins, Kenneth Dunbar and Christopher Dunbar along with a host of additional nieces, nephews, cousins and many beloved friends.

ORDER OF SERVICE

Processional: Great is thy faithfulness Opening - Pastor Boyd

Opening Sentence Read by Clergy

I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he dies. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in faith shall not die forever.

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my awaking, he will raise me up; and in my body, I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him who is my friend and not a stranger.

For none has life in himself, and none becomes his own master when he dies. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's possession. Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.

Song Selection - FAME Choir, Hymn

Prayer - Velma Union

Scripture - Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Retired Bishop African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 5:1–16

Psalm 121 All recite together Psalm 121

- I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help? - My help cometh even from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. - He will not su�er my foot to be moved, and he that keepeth me will not sleep. - Behold, he that keepeth Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleep. - The Lord himself is thy keeper; the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand; - So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night. - The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul. - The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

Song Selection- FAME Choir, Song Obituary

Statement from Supervisor Mary Kirkland, 5th Episcopal District WMS

Statement from Retired Supervisor Ernestine Lee Henning

Acknowledgements & Resolutions- Jackie Dupont-Walker - FAME Church Resolution- Southern California AME Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization.- Lullaby Guild - United States Senator Dianne Feinstein- United States Congresswoman Maxine Waters - Los Angeles City Council

Re�ections - Margo Harris and Alpha Timbo (YIP)- Charles Moore, nephew Family Remarks- Bill Win�eld, nephew Family Remarks- Kevin Brookins, nephew Family Remarks

Words of Comfort- Pastor Boyd

Selection - Norma J. Cook -Solo, His Eye is on the Sparrow Eulogy - Right Rev. T. Larry Kirkland

Recessional: Lord I’m available to you

[All are invited to share in a light Repast immediately following the service on the Plaza level]