Mr. Verlyn James Brooks, age 86 of Carrollton, Georgia formerly of Thomaston, Georgia died Sunday, September 15, 2013. Mr. Brooks, a native of Thomaston, Georgia, was born on January 7, 1927, the son of the late Clifton Brooks and Annie Lou Matthews Brooks. He was employed by the Thomaston Cotton Mill, Thomaston, Georgia, prior to entry into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the Battery B 306th Field Artillery Battalion and operated fire trucks, maintained firefighting equipment and completed Infantry training obtaining his Rifleman marksmanship. Mr. Brooks was honorably discharged in 1946 and received the following decorations, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, Army of Occupation Ribbon, Japan Victory Ribbon and one overseas service bar. Survivors include his wife, Betty Searcy Brooks; children, Johnny Roy Brooks of Buchanan, Georgia, Diane Brooks Daniel of Carrollton, Georgia, James Kenneth Brooks, Sr. of Carrollton, Danny Keith Brooks of Reidsville, North Carolina, Stephen Jerry Brooks of Archdale, North Carolina, Marshall Alan Brooks of Lithia Springs, Georgia, sister-in-law, Brenda Brooks of Milledgeville; 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Coventry; brothers, Roy Ronald Brooks, Billy Lavon Brooks and special cousin, Dan Carraway. The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral service will be Tuesday, September 17 at 11 A.M. at Eastside Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Brown officiating and Mr. Kenny Brooks giving the eulogy. American Legion Post #143 will provide military honors. Pallbearers will be Kenny Brooks, John Brooks, Mitch Cheatwood, Danny Attaway, Mike Sanford, Jackie Caldwell and T.C. Hester. Interment will be in Crystal Hill Cemetery in Thomaston, Georgia on Tuesday at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastside Baptist Church Youth Program, 42 Little New York Road, Carrollton, Georgia 30116. Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com. Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.