JoAnn Wyche Brooks, social worker

WHEN JOANN Wyche went off to college, she was something of a pathfinder. Few others from her West Philadelphia neighborhood made it to higher education, and her experience let others know that it was possible to aspire to a better life.

One of those inspired was Daily News columnist Elmer Smith.

"It wasn't that common in the '50s for kids on our block to go to college," he said. "When JoAnn and some of the older girls on the block went to college, it seemed more accessible to all of us."

JoAnn Wyche Brooks, a dedicated social worker with the city's Department of Human Services and a devoted family matriarch, died Sept. 9. She was 74 and was living in Jacksonville, N.C.

Smith got to know JoAnn through her brother, Arthur Wyche, a good friend.

"JoAnn was my friend Artie's big sister," Elmer said. "But she was kind of a hip big sister to his friends, too. I remember how we sometimes got to hang around when her college friends from Morgan State were in town.

"She was smart, sophisticated and just mature enough to tolerate us. She was funny and vibrant, but serious about her career field.

"When she enrolled in a master's program at Atlanta University, it was about becoming a better social worker. I always respected that."

JoAnn was born in Philadelphia to Frank and Josephine Wyche. She graduated from West Philadelphia High School. After graduating from Morgan State, she went to work for the city Department of Human Services as a caseworker, visiting the homes of families to make sure their children were not in danger. She later earned her master's in education from Atlanta University.

"She was outgoing and energetic," her brother said. "She liked socializing, parties and music. She enjoyed life."

JoAnn also enjoyed traveling, and visited Jamaica a couple of times.

An early marriage to Joseph Martin ended in divorce. She married Robert Brooks in the mid-'80s.

The funeral program contained a message to her husband, in which she said: "If I could relive yesterday, I'd say goodbye. I would kiss you and maybe see you smile, but all the good times we shared will live on with you so when you think of me, I'm right there in your heart."

Besides her husband and brother, she is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Martin; a stepdaughter, Katrina Seay; a stepson, Wayne Hudson; a sister, Beverly Lee; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services: Were Tuesday in Jacksonville, N.C., where she was buried in the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.