The Earl of Lynchburg: The Racing Career of Earl Lee Brooks



Earl Lee Brooks was born on August 11, 1929, in the Cotton Hill section of Lynchburg, Virginia, to Eldridge and Mattie Brooks. Earl was the oldest child; he had four younger sisters. His parents worked in a textile mill. Later the family moved to “the county,” to Fairview Heights which was not part of Lynchburg at that time. Earl attended Brookville High School and then joined the United States Army where he served for only eighteen months. Hard times—both of his parents had health problems—required him to return home. Because he was the only son, he was released from the military and given an honorable hardship discharge.
The year was 1948 and on his return home Earl married the love of his life: Dorothy Marie Riley. She was born and raised in Lynchburg. Their marriage of forty-five years would produce five children—Judy, Hilda, Earl Jr., Donna, and me, Ervin.
Entire article available only in printed version. Lynch's Ferry is on sale at the following Lynchburg locations: Bookshop on the Avenue, Givens Books, Lynchburg Visitors Center, Old City Cemetery, Point of Honor, Market at Main, and Lynch's Ferry office at The Design Group, 1318 Church Street, Lynchburg.
The year was 1948 and on his return home Earl married the love of his life: Dorothy Marie Riley. She was born and raised in Lynchburg. Their marriage of forty-five years would produce five children—Judy, Hilda, Earl Jr., Donna, and me, Ervin.
Entire article available only in printed version. Lynch's Ferry is on sale at the following Lynchburg locations: Bookshop on the Avenue, Givens Books, Lynchburg Visitors Center, Old City Cemetery, Point of Honor, Market at Main, and Lynch's Ferry office at The Design Group, 1318 Church Street, Lynchburg.
^ Top
Previous page: Samuel Spencer and the Trains That Served the South
Next page: History in Brief
Site Map