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Northwest Foundation Announces the Frank Berle Brooks Memorial Endowed Scholarship

by Jillian Mitchell

Senatobia, MS (08/28/2026) — The Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Frank Berle Brooks Memorial Endowed Scholarship. It was created by the Brooks family to honor his life, hard work, and commitment to his family and community. Beginning in Fall 2027, the scholarship will be awarded to graduates of Water Valley High School as they pursue their education at Northwest.

Born and raised in Water Valley, Frank Berle Brooks spent his entire life in Yalobusha County, building a successful career and a lasting reputation of generosity. After graduating from Water Valley High School, Brooks immediately stepped in to take over the family business following the death of his mother and the decline of his father's health. He devoted himself to caring for both the land and his family, further establishing the reputation he garnered over the years as a hard worker. To know Brooks was to know that in regards to him, "strong work ethic" was an understatement.

Over the years, Brooks expanded his farming operation to nearly 2,000 acres. His primary crops were cotton and soybeans, while peanuts were also grown during the early and mid-1980s. While farming remained the center of his life's work-Brooks began other endeavors that furthered his successful career. He owned and operated B&B International, an International Harvester business that served area farmers for many years before the company transitioned to Case International. He later founded Brooks Construction, a business specializing in excavation and heavy equipment work. After operating that business for more than two decades, he passed it down to his grandson, Brandon Brooks. After retiring, Brooks passed down the farming operation to his brother, Travis and son, Brad. Today, his grandson, Justin maintains a successful farming operation that now spans three generations.

Despite his busy career, Brooks remained invested in his hometown and community. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley. He also dedicated many years serving on the Water Valley School Board, until a house fire in December 1990 forced his family to relocate outside the district. Soon afterward, he was appointed to represent Yalobusha County on the Northwest Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees, continuing his commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students throughout the region. In the future, that connection was furthered through his family. Brooks' granddaughter, Brooks Hodge, attended Northwest, while his grandson, Brandon Brooks, played baseball for the Rangers. His other grandson, Jordan, also attended Northwest's Oxford campus.

While Brooks had many professional accomplishments, those closest to him remember his character far more than his career. His daughter shared that if there was one thing everyone agreed upon, it was that "he would give the shirt off his back for anyone." This was especially shown in his love for his family. One of Brooks' greatest hopes was to see his family settled together on County Road 225, where their land and house sat. They referred to this as "The Home Place."

The Brooks family chose to establish the Frank Berle Brooks Endowed Scholarship to continue his legacy of investing in others. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduate of Water Valley High School, Brooks' alma mater. Through this scholarship, Frank Berle Brooks' legacy of hard work, generosity, and dedication to his community will continue to make a difference for generations of Water Valley students pursuing their education at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

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Photo Frank Berle Brooks, courtesy of his family

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