Obituary of Paula Leisa Brooks

Paula Leisa Brooks Lattimer entered this world on June 17, 1952, in Baltimore, Maryland, as the second child of Daisy Octavia and William Marcellous Brooks. She transitioned home to glory on May 9, 2026. While her family's hearts are heavy, they find comfort in knowing she is now fully healed, fully at peace, and very likely making sure dog lovers are directed to the correct pearly gate (see Paula's favorite episode of The Twilight Zone Season 3, Episode 19).

Paula graduated from Goucher College and spent most of her career in healthcare, first as a pharmaceutical representative and later as a Business Development executive at MedStar Health. Intelligent and polished, Paula could command a room professionally while still leaving everyone laughing by the end of the conversation.

Paula met her future husband, Ernest Lattimer, in 1977. Together they welcomed their daughter—Paula's "gift from God"—Chanel Leisa Lattimer, in 1983. Paula was a warm, nurturing, and devoted mother who never stopped cheering Chanel on through every activity, accomplishment, and season of life.

Baptized in 1990, Paula maintained a deep and unwavering Christian faith throughout her life. A devoted and active church member, Paula was a member of Greater Destiny Christian Ministries at the time of her passing.

Paula will be remembered for her wit, poise, strength, loyalty, stylish wardrobe, stubbornness, and strong opinions—which she could express articulately or simply with a look. If humor is a sign of intelligence, Paula was a genius! She loved Far Side cartoons, clever jokes, sending hilarious birthday cards, and perfectly playing the straight man to Ernest's antics. She had a way with words – encouraging others with a thoughtful message or eloquently presenting at a women's ministry event.

Paula loved dogs, high tea, stargazing, Turner Classic movies, Twilight Zone marathons, antiques, fashionable suits, church hats, and traveling. But more than anything, she loved her family. Upon retirement, she was a devoted caregiver to her beloved mother, a constant travel companion with Ernest, and eventually a fun-loving, tickling, and spoiling grandmother ("Gramzy") to her three grandkids. She and Ernest took their final trip to the Canary Islands shortly before she passed.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved dog Hugo, and grandpups Mecca and Jadwin. She leaves to cherish her memory: her beloved husband of four decades, Ernest; her daughter, Chanel; her son-in-law, Dr. Alexis Tingan; three adoring grandchildren – Asa, Alegra and Caia; her brother, William Brooks (Maxine), her sister, Danielle Phillips (Rob); a sister-cousin, Regina Brooks; one aunt, Phyllis Anderson; a goddaughter, Dasia Phillips; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, a homegoing celebration for Mrs. Paula Brooks will be held at Greater Destiny Christian Ministries, 100 3rd Avenue SW, in Glen Burnie, MD, where the family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. with services to follow. For those unable to attend in person, please see the following link for livestreaming services. http://GDCMinistries.org/watch-live.

Immediately following the homegoing service and repast, the interment service will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 5829, Ritchie Highway, Baltimore, MD 21225.

In leiu of flowers, the family invites friends to make a gift in loving memory of Paula Brooks to the Maryland Food Bank - https://secure.mdfoodbank.org/a/tribute.