Hilda Rooks

Obituaries

Tuesday, 28 March 2023 10:25

Hilda Jo Mearse Rooks, born in Rosalie on Thursday, July 11, 1935 to Emmett and Bessie Mearse, has passed away. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Matthew Kilgore officiating. Burial followed in Rainsville Memorial park.

Jo spent her primary and pre-high school years at Rosalie School, later marrying her soulmate and loving husband of 69 years, Kenneth Rooks in 1952, while he was on leave during the Korean Conflict. Thereafter began a true love story between the two of them. After serving in the Armed Forces, they moved to Chattanooga and secured employment with E.I Dupton, where they made a successful life for the next 30 years, raising two sons. Jo became a full-time homemaker and supported her husband while he continued working with Dupont and became a full-time homebuilder. She entered the world of baking as the Executive Assistant to the President of Chattanooga Federal Savings and Loan, and as her career progressed, Jo entered the human resources field at the Volunteer State Insurance Company, later retiring after a successful career. When they both retired, they returned to the family farm until moving to New Market to be nearer their son.

During their time in Chattanooga, they were longtime members of the memorial Baptist Church, followed my many years of membership in the Pisgah Baptist Church. Throughout her life, she epitomized the qualities of the godly wife, committed to Jesus in her daily life as a prayer warrior, a loving wife and committed grandmother and great-grandmother. She was adored and revered by every member of her family and was affectionately known as Miss Jo by the preschoolers she led at both churches she attended. She loved to teach little children and was a selfless servant and quintessential godly woman. Slow to judge and quick to praise and encourage her family, as well as others she knew. As her time on Earth drew near, she longed for the day to greet Jesus alongside her true love, Kenneth. What a reunion they must be having today as they receive their rewards for lives well-lived.

She is survived by her sons, Larry (Mary Ann) Rooks, Jack (Lynne) Rooks; grandchildren, Holly (Joseph) Grenvicz, Bradley (Jill) Rooks, Lauren (Jacob) McGehee, Tyler Rooks; great-grandchildren, Lyla Grenvicz, Betsy Grenvicz, Clay Grenvicz, Hayden Rooks, Hope Rooks, Cillian McGehee.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Emmett and Bessie Mearse.