Juanita Leavitt Brooks, one of Utah's most prominent historians, died Saturday, Aug. 26, 1989, in a St. George nursing home at the age of 91.
Mrs. Brooks wrote 16 books and was co-author of three others. She also wrote many stories and articles that were published in professional magazines.She was born Jan. 15, 1898, in Bunkerville, Nev. She was married to Earnest Pulsipher, on Oct. 10, 1919. She was widowed 18 months later at the age of 20 with an infant son.
She worked her way through Dixie College andBrigham Young University, receiving a bachelor of arts degree from the latter in 1925. She went on to obtain a master of arts from Columbia University in 1929.
She returned to Utah and taught at Dixie College. She was married to William Brooks in 1933. He was a widower with four sons. The couple later had a daughter and three sons. Brooks died in 1970.
During her lifetime, Mrs. Brooks received honorary doctorates from Southern Utah State College, Utah State University and the University of Utah.
She was a member of the board of trustees of the Utah State Historical Society for many years. She had been honored by several cities, societies, clubs and associations for her writings about Utah and Mormon history.
She was inducted into the Beehive Hall of Fame.
Her books include, "Mountain Meadows Massacre," "John Doyle Lee," "Quicksand and Cactus: A Memoir of the Southern Mormon Frontier," and "Uncle Will Tells His Story."
Her biography, "Juanita Brooks, Mormon Woman Historian," by Levi Peterson, won the annual biography award from the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies.
Mrs. Brooks' funeral will be Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. in the St. George Tabernacle. Friends may call Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and again Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd. Burial will be in the St. George City Cemetery.
A scholarship endowment is being established at Dixie College in her name. Contributions may be sent to the college in Mrs. Brooks' name.