Brooke Michele Darby was born to the late Cynthia Grace Watson and the late Capers Perry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on May 24, 1977. She was a devoted mother, sister, niece, cousin, aunt and friend.

Brooke remained in North Carolina her entire life and was a 1995 Mount Tabor High School graduate. A nd She was also a member of the 1999 E ast C arolina U niversity graduating class . Throughout her life, Brooke fought lengthy battles with various health challenges , however, she never stopped fighting, always remained positive, and was an inspiration to everyone she met (unless you crossed her).  She was the center of her extended family, a master organizer, a meticulous party planner and a fierce advocate and friend to those she loved.

Brooke Michele Darby passed away at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, following a period of illness. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Tommy Lee Watson; maternal grandparents, James R. Grace, Sr. and Willie Grace; and her beloved aunt, Phyllis Smith.

Those family members who survive and who will forever cherish loving memories of her include h er children, the lights of life, Davon Christopher Darby (19) and Bria Grace T homas (9); her beloved siblings, Brock M. Grace (Dawnielle) – Zoë (7) and Skylãr (5) , Brian Watson (Clara)-Jor dan (13) and Ariah (11mo), and Twakenna Spann; her dear aunts and uncles, James (Michelle), Ronald (Pamela), Jacqueline, Marilyn, Michael (Simone), Anthony (Deborah), Curtis (Valerie), Gary Barrington, Tra ci (Lee); and her treasured cousins, Tonya (Gary), Tawanna, Shannon (Regina), Curtis Jr., Shaun (Lynette), Jacques (Kelly), Jay, Christopher ( Clavenda ), Julian, Alex (Crystal), Jillian, Toni (Kevin), Brandon, Michael, Taylor, Jamea , BJ, Evan and Leah. Brooke also leaves behind twenty-five additional second cous ins and twelve third co usins; her friends for life, Jonnetta Hawkins, Mynetta "Sunshine" Davis and Nakia "Niki" Samuels; and her god-daughter , Ashley Burns.

Brooke not only belonged to the Grace Family, but the Grace Family and everyone blessed enough to be chosen by Brooke, belonged to her!

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Monday, December 12, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Zion Memorial Baptist Church with Dr. Randall Cain officiating and Rev. James Gilliam eulogist. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12:00noon on Tuesday at the Church.