Elizabeth Brooks Nettum

Elizabeth “Brooks” Nettum, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away November 10th, 2023 in St. Marys, GA.

As a friend recently described – “she was a heroine worthy of Faulkner.” The eldest of four (4) children, Brooks was born on May 1st, 1960 to David & Harriett Peak in Columbus, Georgia. She lived in Americus, GA for over 40 years, with 27 of those years being with her late husband Richard Nettum. Following her late husband’s passing, Brooks relocated to St. Mary’s, GA in 2021 to be closer to her son and beloved grandchildren.

Brooks graduated from Southland Academy in Americus, GA and earned both a BA in English and MS in Social Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW). Before retiring, she had a career that included social services (Americus Counseling and Middle Flint Behavioral Care), community services (Habitat for Humanity and Rylander Theatre), corporate sales (Peak Textiles and AT&T), and eventually fulfilling a dream of owning and operating her own dance studio (The Brooks Nettum School of Dance).

Her community involvement was significant, her accomplishments meaningful. Brooks was active in both the Americus and St. Marys communities. In Americus, Brooks was an active or past member of the Rotary Club of Americus, Junior Service League, Americus-Sumter County Arts Council (Board Member), Sumter Players (Board Member), Sumter Historic Trust (Board Member), Azalea Garden Club of Americus, Early Bloomers Garden Club (Co-Founder), Calvary Episcopal Church,  a volunteer for Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, and numerous other volunteer opportunities and events that occurred throughout her life in Americus. In St. Marys, Brooks became immediately involved with the St. Marys Little Theatre and St. Marys Garden Club while also maintaining her involvement with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Her boundless enthusiasm and impact on the local Arts community and across the state will always be remembered. Brooks performed, directed, or assisted in over 30 productions with Sumter Players among countless others while serving as the Managing Director for the Rylander Theatre. Many members of the community have memories of her productions: “Oliver!”, “Annie”, “Cotton Patch Gospel”, “The King and I”, and “To Kill a Mockingbird” to name a few. She helped coordinate or assist in bringing significant grants, partnerships, or events to the Americus community, several for the first time (Georgia Theater Conference and Kennedy Center of American College Theater Festivals) along with the largest touring children’s theater in the United States (Missoula Children’s Theatre). All fragments of a significant contribution and devout commitment to the Arts community.

Brooks lived a life full of creativity and excitement, a peerless series of vignettes teaching us how to live in the moment with kindness, service, and love. If she wasn’t at rehearsal, she was at a community function, enjoying time with her dear friends – too many to name, or recently, playing with her grandchildren. “All the world’s a stage…” we are all grateful we got to play or had a part in Brooks’ eventful history.

Brooks is survived by her son, Dr. Lee Everett (Stephanie) of St. Simons Island, GA; and two (2) grandchildren Whittaker Everett and Palmer Everett. She is also survived by two (2) siblings: brother Wilson Peak of New York, NY, sister Sally Lanier of Americus, GA, two (2) nieces: Moylan “Claire” Freeman of Atlanta, GA and Virgina Brooks Lanier of Americus, GA, two (2) uncles: Fred Peak (Denise) of Panama City, FL and Floyd Peak (Chi Chi) of Phenix City, AL, and aunt: Patricia Berkemeir of Ft. Walton Beach, along with many loved cousins, relatives, and friends.

Brooks was preceded in death by her parents John David Peak and Harriett Wilson Peak; husband Richard Even Nettum; her son’s father, Ken Everett; brother John Wilson Peak; and grandson Lucas Emory Everett.
 

For family & friends, an informal Celebration of Life reception will take place at The Carnegie Library on Friday December 8th, at 3pm. The Carnegie Library, 111 South Jackson St, Americus, GA 31709

Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of the following organizations that Brooks admired and supported:

Sumter Players, Inc.

PO Box 154

Americus, GA 31709

St. Marys Little Theatre

104 Bartlett St

St. Marys, GA 31558