Thomas Brookins

William Thomas Brookins peacefully passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022, in Chiefland, Florida. Thomas, as He was known, was born on January 8, 1928, to Foyster Brookins and Parnie Ester Cason Brookins, in Rocky Hammock, Florida. Thomas was the oldest of 5 children. He attended school at the old Wooden Rocky Hammock School in his Elementary years then transferred to Chiefland High School and graduated in 1946. After Graduation, He assumed a full-time job as a Farmer to tend the land of the Family farm in Rocky Hammock. He stated that at that time, there werent many fields, located between Rocky Hammock and Chiefland that he hadnt plowed a mule in. It was also said that since he was one of the few strong young men in the area, he was asked to dig many of the Gravesites in the Rocky Hammock Cemetery, due to the extremely Rocky terrain in that area. He met and fell in love with Mary Corene Coleman, a Beautiful Young Lady from Levyville, and in 1950, she became his Wife. They raised 2 children, Deborah and Loran. Due to Family deaths, He and Mary assumed the role of Guardian and raised his brother-in-law, George Coleman. In 1959, Thomas decided to add another job to his list. He and Lloyd Beauchamp bought and began the Business of "B & B Tractor", a John Deere agriculture dealership in Chiefland, Florida. At this same time, he and his wife decided to leave his Family farm and move just north of Chiefland, where they bought and began to build their own farm, where it is still located and operated by his family members, on Hwy 321. After a few short years, he made the decision to buy out his partner and begin a new business, solely owned and operated by He and Mary, changing the name to Brookins Tractor Corporation. The business quickly outgrew its original location on the east side of Hwy 19, on Hwy 345. The new location, moved across Hwy 19 to the west, still on Hwy 345. He owned and operated that business for 42 years, until 2001, when He decided to sell it, due to health issues. He retired to become a full-time farmer again. After the death of his 1st Wife, Thomas met and married, Laura Long Williams in 1989. They were married for 31 happy years, until Lauras death, in 2021. Thomas owned and operated, Brookins Tractor Corporation, for 42 years, 19592001, He served on the Board of Trustees of Central Florida Electric, for 45 years, he was one of the Founding Directors of Drummond Community Bank, serving for 22 years, he was a loyal FFA member since 1941, he was an Honorary Member and never missed attending the Annual FFA Banquet, a member of First Baptist Church since 1945, as a Front Door Greeter for 50 years, he was a Director on the Suwannee River Board of Authority for many years, he served on the North Florida Education Governing Board. He learned to fly and became a private pilot and then purchased and flew 2 personal planes for his pleasure and business. Thomas was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Brookins, his parents, Foyster and Parnie Brookins, two sisters, Aleta Schnitker and Emma Belle Townsend, a brother, Herschel Brookins, a brother-in-law, George Coleman and his wife, Laura Brookins. Thomas is survived by his children, Deborah Brookins Davis (Richard), a son, Loran Brookins (Paige), his step-children, Roxanne Shirvan (Danny Lufkin), Rachel McQueen (Tommy), Regina Goss (Bruce) and Jacqueline Williams, grandchildren, Ryan Anderson (Shelly), his care-takers, Chase Brookins, Blayne Brookins (Melissa), step-grandchildren, Kian Shirvan, Leah Almeida, Sarah Cantrell, Francisco Almeida, Franco Elijah Almeida, Caley Williams, Hayden Williams, his great-grandchildren, Madison Anderson, Cooper Brookins, Emmitt Brookins, step-great-grandchildren, Elijah Cantrell, Dorian Fournier, Emilia Fournier, Aubrey Weatherford, Declan Fortner, Asa Chavous. His Sister, Betrenda Mims (AJ). A Sister-in-law, Cheri Coleman, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In Lieu of Flowers, The Family asks to please consider a Donation to The First Baptist Church of Chiefland or Haven Hospice of Chiefland. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Chiefland, Florida with a visitation held one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Chiefland City Cemetery. Pastor Kris Mullis will officiate. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Knauff Funeral Home in Chiefland, Florida. Visitation Thursday, December 29, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM First Baptist Church Chiefland 511 N Young Blvd Chiefland, FL 32626 Funeral Service Thursday, December 29, 2022 2:00 PM First Baptist Church Chiefland 511 N Young Blvd Chiefland, FL 32626