ANDREWS – Charles Wade Brooks laughed at the jokes throughout Friday’s bridge dedication ceremony, and he nodded at the kindness when speakers lauded him and his late wife, Judy West.
He managed to hold the tears back until the conclusion of Friday’s ceremony that dedicated parallel bridges on U.S. 19/74 after himself and his wife.
Charles Wade Brooks and his wife were honored Friday during a bridge dedication ceremony.
“When I see the signs on the highway, the first thing I’m going to think of is Judy,” said Brooks, who smiled for pictures holding a replica sign “I just rode her coattails.”
N.C. Department of Transportation officials, local officials, friends, and family participated in the ceremony to name one bridge after Brooks and the other after Judy West.
“You got this one right by Wade and Judy,” said family friend Chuck Vangorder. “These two people are an example of the wonderful people in this mountain community. I would like all of you to go look at the signs on the road and remember what a wonderful and lovable person Judy was, and Wade still is.”
The NCDOT Board unanimously passed a resolution in June resolving that the side-by-side bridges in Cherokee County be named in their honor.
The couple joyfully and faithfully served their community together in a variety of roles until West passed away in the spring of 2020.
Brooks is one of five original founders of the Valleytown Fire Department, he was instrumental in establishing fire districts in Andrews, Marble and Topton, and served as an emergency medical technician for 20 years.
West served as a member of the Andrews Housing Authority, the Eastern Start, the Conaheeta Club, the Garden Club of Andrews and served on the board for Andrews Town Revitalization. She also was more casually known as Andrews’ Sweetheart, Mrs. Andrews, the First Lady of Andrews and the Queen of Andrews.
“As people cross these bridges and see the sign in honor and in memory, they will forever remember the qualities and inspiration that Judy and Wade instilled in everyone,” said Jan Griggs, Vice Chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. “They are unequivocally, an asset to this community.”