Brooks still working at 83

At the age of 83, Sparta resident and self-described "plain old country bumpkin" Gene Brooks credits the Lord as he is able to continue working at Francis Motors, a local car dealership. He has worked with Michael Francis for two stints, with the most recent being about three years.

"I came down here and Michael gave me a place to stay," Brooks said. "I retired and the Lord's blessed me enough to where I can live with what I've got. I've got to do something and this is one of the things I like to do. This is the second time I've helped Michael. I worked for him when we had a little office up on the road there and we sold a lot of cars and I made good money."

During his average day at Francis Motors, he gets to the office between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. He spends the time answering calls and talking to people who come to the lot.

"(I) just enjoy living another day. Every day now counts. The good Lord's blessed me." When asked about retirement, Brooks simply chuckled and commented, "I'm too young to retire. As long as I'm able, I'll do something. I couldn't do something no better as I know of. As long as I'm able I'll be here trying to help Michael and have a good day myself."

Prior to working at Francis Motors, Brooks spent some time working at a saw mill with a friend, and later with his son, Steve. He also spent time at Choate Motors and working with businessman D.W. Miles selling cars.

"When I was 18 years old, I started sawmilling before I went to the Army, I went to the Army in 1945. I spent a couple years in the Army and then came back out and me and first cousin sawmilled together."

After working together for a few years, the cousins decided to end the work partnership because Brooks' cousin wanted to go into farming. At that point, Brooks and son Steve began sawmilling together.

Speaking of the earlier days of selling cars, Brooks stated, "They were just wonderful. I like people. I like meeting them and talking to them…then Wayne Wright and I owned 21 Motors together. We owned that five or 10 years probably."

Brooks' favorite part of selling cars is getting to meet and be around people. "I just love being around people."