Mr. Donald James Brooks, Jr., 53, of 111 Autumn Ridge Dr., died suddenly on Monday, February 16, 2009 at his residence. Born Sept. 29, 1955 in Forsyth County, NC, Donald was the son of Donald J. Brooks, Sr., and Emma Haizlip Brooks. After graduating from East Forsyth Sr. High School in 1973, he enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He continued his studies at St. Augustine College, Raleigh, and served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. Coaching kids, especially little league baseball, afforded him the opportunity to mentor and be a role model. At the time of his sudden demise, he was employed as a teacher at Northern Vance High School, Henderson. His parents; and a sister, Shirley Walls, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Millicent Higgs Brooks of the home; three daughters, Brittany, Jasmine and Shannon Brooks, all of Greensboro, NC; one brother, Nathan Brooks and his wife, Ulanda, of Winston-Salem, NC; two sisters, Juanita Bates and her husband, Earl, Sr., of Sedalia, and Janet Whitley of Kernersville; mother-in-law, Mary Higgs of Scotland Neck; sister-in-law, Sandra Higgs Meekins of Durham; two brothers-in-law, Dave Higgs and his wife, Bertha, of Durham, and Reginald Higgs of Scotland Neck; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.