Wilma Brokaw

Our beloved Wilma Lee Hasty Brokaw peacefully left us on Monday, January 24, 2022, to be with her Lord and Savior and her cherished ‘boys’. Born on May 26, 1925, in Venice, Illinois, she was raised in Saint Louis, Missouri and lived most of her adult life in Birmingham, Alabama. For some family members she was known as ‘Will’ and for many others she was simply known as ‘Honey,’ a fitting title that reflected her ‘sweet’ recognizable nature.

Wilma celebrated 44 years of marriage to her one and only third grade sweetheart, George, Sr., and was blessed with two sons, George, Jr., and Barry. She opened her home to a special first cousin, Debbie, who she loved and raised as her own. Although she did not experience having her own grandchildren, she considered her nieces, nephews, and extended family relatives as if they were. Family and friends were always welcomed in her home and were always encouraged to have something to eat and to ‘spend the night.’

Wilma was a member of the Woodlawn United Methodist Church and never hesitated to share her faith. She believed in prayer and loved the old-time gospel hymns.

While raising her family, she found time to be a member of the Crestwood Garden Club; play many hands of Bridge with special neighborhood friends; serve as her young sons’ Cub Scout Den Mother; plan and host many holiday and Friday night cookouts; always attend her ‘boys’ baseball, football, and basketball games and track meets; dance the night away at weekend dance club ‘lead outs’ including accompanying her adored husband, George, Sr., in attending and hosting many formal ‘Sabado’ events; and, always participating in various craft activities. She loved attending annual family reunions in Alley Springs, Missouri. When someone mentioned wanting to ‘go,’ Wilma rarely had to be asked twice and almost never turned down an invited opportunity. She loved shopping and never bought anything that was not on sale. She loved all spectator sports especially if related to Alabama athletics and professional tennis, basketball, baseball, and hockey.

Working outside the home, Wilma was able to enjoy her love for flowers while working with a local florist. She developed a love for travel by being employed as a Travel Specialist with Carolyn Allison Your Travel Agent and AAA. In 1984, she was recognized as the ‘World’s Greatest Travel Agent’, an award she talked about with pride. After her faith, family, and friends, she loved traveling, particularly cruising. She traveled the world and on one trip to Rome, she had an audience with the Pope. She completed more than seventy-six cruises after her first experience in the 1970s. Her itineraries included trips to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Alaska, South America, and several Transatlantic and Transpacific voyages. She often could be found soaking up the sun or taking a nap on deck and dining at the Captain’s Table as a special guest.

Always ready for a good meal, Wilma’s favorite was hamburgers. Her dad called her ‘Wimpy’ because of her love for them. She was proud of that ‘nickname’ and always said the one she was eating was the ‘best she’d ever had.’ Of course, she would never say no to strawberries or ice cream.

Wilma was loved by everyone she met and never encountered a stranger. She will be deeply missed by all that knew her but comfort is found in knowing she is now with her Lord and re-united with her family.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, George William Brokaw, Sr., sons George William Brokaw, Jr., and Barry Alan Brokaw (Tommie), parents Harvey Lee Hasty, Sr., and Sallie Florence Blankenship Hasty, and brother Harvey Lee Hasty, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Tommie Lacey Lowery Brokaw, first cousin Debbie Blankenship Burgess (Lonnie, deceased), first cousins loved and always considered ‘sisters’ Sherlene Bryant Bryan, and Linda Blankenship Yardley Shaffer, numerous very dear nieces, nephews, and cousins, special friends Barbara and Allen Sale, Cyndi Sale Bass (Johnny Ray), Carol Elam Dillard (Richard), Tim Hendrix (Linda), and a very special caregiver and friend Jacqueline Hines.

Deep appreciation is given to Noah Fitzpatrick, MD; the caregivers and staff of Southview Medical Group, Ascension Saint Vincent’s Hospital Birmingham, Kirkwood By The River, Affinity Hospice; Gwendolyn Starkey, CNP, Aspire Health Care; the First Responders of the Center Point Fire and Rescue District and the Cahaba Valley Fire & Emergency Medical Rescue District; and, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens for their professional care, compassion, and kindness.

A celebration of Wilma’s long, full life will occur at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, 1593 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, AL 35235, (205) 322-0543, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, with family visitation at 8:30 am, open visitation at 9:00 am followed by the service and interment at 10:00 am. The service will be viewable for non-attendees via Live Steam accessible through the obituary on service@jmgardens.com. Officiating Reverend Doctor Cary Speaker. Service speakers Scott Bryan, Jacqueline Hines, Cyndi Bass. Catering Janice Hines. Face mask and social distancing respectfully requested. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity are encouraged.