Botetourt People: Pat Brooks of Buchanan
Who said this? “I”ve cleaned bathrooms and spoken from the pulpit.” That’s Buchanan’s Pat Brooks talking about her lifelong church membership at Springwood Baptist in Botetourt County. “I was carried there as a baby and never left,” she said. This kind of hands-on devotion illustrates Brooks’ approach to Buchanan, too. She doesn’t just teach Sunday school, sing in the choir and lead children’s activities.
Many grateful women over 40 plus years have known her as a talented hair dresser. After graduating from cosmetology school she worked at various salons around town, then opened Hair Affair. And she’s just settled it in a new Buchanan location, – with the addition of Kim. You will find the shop on the alley next to the Buchanan Baptist Church. The gala party she had planned for her grand opening was washed out with the recent tornado scare, but another will be coming up soon.
Working full time with only a few years out when her daughter was born prematurely, she has used her energy to boost a lot of events such as the special crafts area for children at Mountain Magic and helping with the Easter egg hunt. Dressed as an elf or witch or princess, she has taken part in the Christmas tree lighting, parade or helping Santa. Did I mention that she volunteers at the Veterans Administration and sings in the Botetourt chorus?
Brooks married Pedro Brooks, now deceased in a second marriage. They spenyt many happy years together. Brooks’ mother was a native of Austria who met her father when he was serving in the US Army. Her mother is deceased and her father lives in Roanoke with her stepmother. Brooks grew up in an area surrounded with Linkenhoker family (her father was one of ten children.). At James River, she took part in drama club and played basketball.
Does this sound like she works all the time? Not true. You can find her at Attic Theater to enjoy a play, at a local restaurant with a friend or at the library taking out a book or two. Pat Brooks is someone you just have to get to know, to know Buchanan. She is a community- minded citizen for Botetourt County!
written by Priscilla Richardson; photo courtesy of Brooks
