Nova Ann Brooks (Bethea), passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on Friday, March 29, 2024. Nova was born on September 9, 1942 to Fred and Margie Bethea in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She remained in Pine Bluff until 1960, when she and new husband, Leroy Brooks, moved to Manhattan, Kansas where they remained for the next five decades.
Nova’s determination, patience, and slight madness was evident throughout her life, but perhaps most noticeable when she decided to return to school and pursue a Master’s degree in Education while raising three young children. Upon her graduation from Kansas State University, she immediately started working at Morris Hill Elementary, where she taught kindergarten and 6th grade for over 25 years. Even years after her retirement, she still delighted to hear and tell stories about the lives of her former students and their families.
Nova was hard to slow down. In addition to being a full-time mother and teacher, Nova spent the better part of the 1990’s making and selling homemade crafts at local art shows with one of her best friends. She used the extra income gained from this side hustle on one of her many interests - to travel with her husband. While it’s hard to recall all of the many adventures they had together, Nova and Leroy’s cruise circuit took them to many parts of Central America, Mexico, and Alaska.
Nova loved to be surrounded by people and was often the last person to leave the party.
She was blessed with many long-lasting friendships that meant the world to her. She participated in many clubs, including the Red Hat Society, the Review Club, Copers, and the College Hills United Methodist book club. After she moved to Meadowlark Hills, she enjoyed playing bingo or dominoes with her new neighbors. When not socializing with others, Nova was an avid reader and at least one book could always be found on her bedside table.
Nova and Leroy were married for 53 years until Leroy’s death in 2016. They raised three children together, their son, Lee, of Bentonville, AR; daughter Kimberly Brooks-West of Midlothian, TX; and daughter Elizabeth Brooks of Denver, CO. She leaves three grandchildren whom she loved and adored, Lauren Lawrence, Nickolas West, and Zane Brooks. She is also survived by her brother William (Bill) Bethea of Conway, AR and Christy Nouzovsky of Woodlawn, AR. She was preceded in death by her brother Michael Bethea of Maumelle, AR.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 4th, at the College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1609 College Avenue, Manhattan, with Reverend John Collins officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Friends, family, and visitors are welcome to drop-in for visitation from 9:30 - 10:30 prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Northest Kansas. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.