Melvin "Brooks" Stallings

Melvin “Brooks” Stallings, 92, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026 after a brief illness. Brooks was born on February 5, 1933 to H. Melvin and Elizabeth B. Stallings in Annapolis, MD. Growing up on the Severn River it was “the land of pleasant living”.  Brooks enjoyed sports, boating, crabbing, fishing and was a champion sailor, diver and swimmer. At the time he was known to have beat Johnny Weissmuller’s (Tarzan) record in freestyle!  Brooks also served honorably during and post the Korean War as a cryptographer in the ASA from 1953-1956.  He married the “love of his life, Nellie’ on February 22, 1957.  

Brooks was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club for over 70 years. He served as Commodore in 1986 during the 100th anniversary and also in 1987.  Brooks and Nellie won hundreds of Racing Series and Regattas locally and nationally.  Together for 54 years they enjoyed all the season’s activities like racing, cruising, dancing, playing cards, bowling, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Brooks and Nellie loved being “snowbirds” and would get underway by sail or power almost every year to Florida and/or the islands. Later in life they traveled by car to their home in Hobe Sound, Florida. Brooks moved to Sandhill Cove Retirement Living in Palm City, Florida for a few years and then on to spending time with family before his passing. 

He is survived by his daughters Debra Pringle, Cynthia Kowalewski, Susan Cheatham, 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grand children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Nellie and their daughter Katherine Galloway. A private graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetary and a Celebration of Life will be shared at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin "Brooks" Stallings, please visit our floral store.