19 Jul 2015 Couples: Ricky and Sheila Brooks

HIM   Ricky W. Brooks

Native of: Lexington, Miss.

Education: Bachelor’s of music education and master’s of music education from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. PhD in music education, conducting and wind literature from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Job: Director of bands, University of Central Arkansas; director, UCA/Dixie Summer Music Camps; and music director, Friendship Baptist Church, Conway.

Parents: Joy Wynn Brooks of Lexington, Miss.

Community activities: Director of the Conway Community Band. The community band performs a Concert in the Park Series each summer at Simon Park. The UCA Bear Marching Band participates each year in the Faulkner County Fair Parade. I was our subdivision’s coordinator for the March of Dimes.

Church activities: As music director of Friendship Baptist Church, I lead the music worship for the morning and evening services, direct our adult choir, ladies’ ensemble and 3-octave handbell ensemble.

How would you describe yourself: Blessed to have a wonderful wife of 36 years who shares my passion for directing bands and teaching music, to have worked in education for 37 years and get paid for a job I absolutely love and to also do music in the church. I’m a hard worker and feel like I have a lot of energy (you might get a second opinion from my wife on that one). The longer I live, the more I cherish family; besides my wife, I have three children who bring me a lot of joy and a wonderful daughter-in-law and my granddaughter.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: MarketPlace Grill in Conway.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: I actually have two. The past year, my favorite weekend activity is to babysit my granddaughter, Grace Anne, and spend time with my oldest son, Aaron, and his wonderful wife, Mallory Hardin Brooks. When I’m not doing that, I’m searching for my golf ball in the woods or out-of-bounds brush at a golf course.

What do you love about living in the 501: The community of Conway provides such a high quality of life in every respect — arts, sports, culture, fun, education, spiritual — for every person of every age. Conway offers city opportunities with a hometown feel. The people we have rubbed elbows with are some of the finest, down-to-earth folk we’ve encountered. On top of that, the close proximity to Little Rock just adds to anything one could ask for in every facet of family life.

HER   Sheila Ainsworth Brooks

Native of: Jackson, Miss.

Where did you grow up: Greenville, Miss.

Education: I received both my bachelor’s of music education and my master’s of music education from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss.

Job: I am a band director with the Conway Public Schools. My home school is Bob Courtway Middle School, but I also assist with the bands at Conway High School and Conway Junior High School.

Parents: My mom was the former Nellie Hutchison Ainsworth, and my dad was the former William Earl (Bill) Ainsworth from Greenville, Miss.

Community activities: I am a board member for Dixie Band Camp, which meets every summer for two weeks at the University of Central Arkansas. I also am a member of the Conway Community Band, which is so much fun for me because I get to perform on my flute as opposed to being on the podium on a daily basis. As a band director, I also have the opportunity for my groups and ensembles to perform in Conway and the surrounding areas, which I consider both a privilege and a responsibility. I have also served for many years as a chairman for the March of Dimes drive in our neighborhood.

Church activities: We attend Friendship Baptist Church, where Ricky serves as the minister of music. When my children were young, I was a third grade Sunday school teacher, a teacher in the Awana program and the children’s choir director for many years. Currently, I am a member of the adult handbell choir and the adult choir. I also serve on the Committee on Committees.

How would you describe yourself: I am fortunate that I was encouraged to become a band director when I got to college. It was difficult for me because I didn’t come from a musical family and I had never had piano or music theory prior to attending college. However, I am a hard worker and I have always been described as headstrong and determined. I wanted to teach music, and I am so glad I pursued that dream. I feel like I live a charmed life because I get up every day and do what I love and enjoy. I know what a difference music has made in my life, and I want to share that with my students. I am also fortunate to have a husband who understands and shares my passion for music education and three children who bring me more happiness than I could ever express! I also can’t leave out my daughter-in-law, Mallory Hardin Brooks, and grandbaby, Grace Anne Brooks, who have added so much joy to our family. I would describe myself as a person in love with my family, my career and my church.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: MarketPlace Grill — I could go there every day for a month and get something different that was delicious!

Most enjoyed weekend activity: If I had answered this question a year ago, the answer would have been shopping, eating out and going to see live performances or theatre. Now my answer is spending time with Grace Anne Brooks! Being a “Nina” is the best. That sweet baby girl keeps us laughing and makes us so proud!

What do you love about living in the 501: Everything but the traffic! I love the wonderful people, the cultural opportunities such as all the events held at UCA throughout the year, spending time on the lake, working for Conway Public Schools and going to softball and baseball games at our beautiful new facilities. I love being close to family who live in Little Rock and friends in Conway who seem like family. I love the sense of pride in our hometown of Conway. This is such a wonderful place to live and raise a family and enjoy life. There is plenty to do in Conway but we still have that small town atmosphere wher
e everyone is friendly and makes you feel like you belong.

THEM

City: Conway.

How we met: At Delta State University, where we were both music education majors. After taking string class together (where he had to tune my violin because I kept breaking strings!), I finally asked him out because he wouldn’t ask me out!

The proposal: We went for a walk on the levee along the Mississippi River in Greenville, Miss., and he totally surprised me with the ring and the proposal.

Wedding bells: We were married at Grace United Methodist Church in Greenville, Miss., on June 30, 1979. I was doing the decorating myself to save money and when I went to work at the church I realized the air conditioning was blowing hot air. It was too late to move the wedding to another church and they couldn’t fix the air conditioner until the next Monday because they had to order a part. We got married on the last day of June using fans — both box fans and giving the guests a fan! It was still a beautiful ceremony though!

Children: Our oldest son is Richard Aaron Brooks, and he is married to Mallory Hardin Brooks. They are parents to our only grandchild, Grace Anne Brooks, who turned 1 year old in May. Aaron works as an attorney in Little Rock, and Mallory is a morning anchor for KARK. Our son, William Scott Brooks, is currently attending the Little Rock Police Academy. Mallory Shay Brooks is our daughter (yes, we now have two daughters named Mallory, and both of them have a brother named Scott!), and she is a senior music education major at UCA with a minor in Spanish.

Family activities enjoyed together: We love going to the lake, hiking and going to amusement parks! Ricky and I enjoy going to Branson and Travelers games. We spend lots of time at band activities and football games, but we love every minute of it! One of our favorite activities is going to Toad Suck Daze every spring and going to the UCA Jazz Dance during both the spring and fall semesters. Grilling hamburgers and making homemade ice cream are favorite summer activities for sure!