HEATH SPRINGS, SC – It is with profound sadness and infinite love that we mourn the passing of Dr. Lanny "Brooks" Walker of Lancaster SC. Brooks passed away on September 22, 2022, at the age of 69 carrying all the love and support from his family and closest friends.

Brooks always had a larger-than-life presence and dedicated his life to learning and educating. Born on May 27, 1953, Brooks came into this world fighting and kept that energy and drive throughout his life.

As a lifelong scholar, we would be remiss not to list the many degrees he obtained during his life. He began his education at Gardner-Webb University and Mary Hardin-Baylor, moving on to earn a Master of Music at Southwest Texas State University, and a Master of Divinity and Theology in the first graduating class at the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner Webb University. Later in his life he returned to college and received his Doctorate in Ministry at Erskine Theological Seminary.

Just as his educational history would reflect, Brooks was also a man of many interests and passions. He initially thought his life would be the path of a professional athlete due to his natural excellence at football and karate-as athleticism was a family trait, he and his two brothers shared.  Due to a knee injury he sustained-which impacted the entire route of his life- he found music. He was discovered to be a sensational vocalist and musician, with a self-taught expert level and passion for guitars. After a brief time performing opera professionally- Brooks felt a powerful and unyielding call to the ministry. He first thought God's call would be the role of traveling missionary; but being also a devoted family man- he soon found placement as the Minister of Music at North Catawba Baptist Church in Lenoir, NC. Creating lifelong connections and friendships at North Catawba was one of his life's joys. He loved his time there and the people even more.

After 13 wonderful years, Brooks felt it was time to lead his own flock, and moved with his family to Heath Springs, SC to be the pastor at Rich Hill Baptist Church.  This calling proved to be a defining and poignant moment in his ministry and his life.  Along with the relationships he developed during his life's many adventures; at his 8 years at Rich Hill Baptist, he developed more life-long friends and connections that would carry him to the end of his days.

His final years were spent doing professionally what he'd already been doing his entire life- teaching. Brooks never limited his lessons to the sole subject he was assigned, because he felt life, history, music, and theology were present in everything that could be learned. He loved his students, he loved his friends and family, and he loved God most.  His ultimate passion was to know God.

Brooks is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Jo Walker of Lenoir, NC and his stepson Colby Adams of Lancaster.

Brooks' surviving family includes his adored wife, Debbie of Lancaster, SC, his son Josiah of Jacksonville, FL, his daughter Bethany and son-in-law Tony Baylock of Hampton, VA, his stepsons Dustin and Jordan Adams of Lancaster, SC; Grandchildren; Harper Adams, Brooklynn Johnson and Atticus Baylock and brothers Brad and Brandon of Lenoir, NC.

The Celebration of Life Service for Brooks will be 11:00 am Monday, September 26, 2022, at First Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Randy Hatcher. The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 6:00 pm Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Burgess Funeral Home.

For those who wish, donations may be made in memory of Brooks to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Attn: Memorial Dept., 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.