Rudolph Rooks

ROOKS - Wiley “Rudolph” (Rudy) Rooks, age 92 of Lawrenceville, GA, went to be with the Lord the morning of November 22, 2023. A service in celebration of his life will be held in the Chapel at Hebron Church in Dacula, GA on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 3 p.m. with Rev. Larry Wynn officiating. Interment will follow at East Shadowlawn Cemetery in Lawrenceville, GA. Visitation will be held in the Hebron Chapel at 2 p.m., before the service. Rudolph was born in Auburn, GA to parents Cora Matilda Johnson Rooks of Carl, GA, and John Herschel Rooks of Carl, GA, by whom he is preceded in death. He is also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 72 years, Ruth Carolyn Tullis Rooks; his three brothers, John Louis, James “Theo”, and Randall; three of his sisters, Mary Lou Rooks Kilgore, Alma Jean Rooks Barnette, and Memphis “Matrid” Rooks; son-in-law, Donald Lee “Don” Head; and granddaughter, Karen Leigh Head. Rudolph is survived by his two younger sisters, Julia Rooks Duncan, Monroe, GA, and Joyce Rooks Allen, Eatonton, GA. He is survived by his eldest daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Wayne Magness, Lawrenceville; granddaughter, Camille Ayers and husband, Carlton, Lawrenceville; great-granddaughter, Haley Ayers, Toccoa, GA; granddaughter, Haley Livingston and husband, Billy, Bethlehem, GA; great-granddaughter, Bethany Livingston, Bethlehem, GA. He is also survived by his second daughter, Pam Head, Lawrenceville; granddaughter, Michelle Egas and husband, Gabriel, Elizabethtown, KY; great-grandchildren, Adalyn and Grayson Egas, Elizabethtown, KY; and granddaughter, Victoria Head, Lawrenceville. Rudolph, named Wiley after his maternal great-grandfather, Wiley Warren Patrick, graduated from Winder Barrow High School at 17 years old in 1948. The following year, he married Ruth, the love of his life. He adored her; constantly caring for her and being by her side. They attended Harmony Grove United Methodist Church together and grew their family there with the addition of two daughters, Elaine and Pam. Rudolph and Ruth were heavily involved in church, both serving in the MYF youth group, their Sunday school class, and singing in the choir. They eventually moved to Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, quickly growing roots in the D.O.V.E Sunday school class and the choir, singing every Sunday in the front row, holding hands. He was a man always diligent with his work, starting his career with Coats & Clark Sales Corporation, where he worked 38 years. At 55 years old, he then transitioned to a career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office where he worked ten years as a deputy officer. When he wasn’t working outside the home, he was constantly finding a new project to tinker with around the house. One of his constant projects was the garden he tended, growing muscadines, green beans, squash, and okra among many other things. Above any other accolade though, Rudolph was a family man; generous with his time and his resources, always caring for those he loved. His evening arrival at 5:30 always triggered the dinner bell, and during the school-years with his daughters, he willingly took on the job of math tutor. He taught his daughters to ride their horses, Honeyhart and Patches, around Auburn, and he taught them the importance of family, attending the Rooks Family Reunions that were held in the old Harbins Community House. As the family continued to grow, he involved himself by driving the ski boat on Lake Lanier for his son-in-law, Wayne, joining his other son-in-law, Don, at the track while racing Formula 440s, and then eventually playing with his four granddaughters in the yard, teaching them to drive go-karts, and documenting their every song on cassettes and every move on VHS. An avid carrom player until the end (who hated to lose), the neighborhood cat rescuer, a fixture on the couch pouring over every line of the newspaper, a lover of a fresh clean shave, and forever Red Nosed Reindeer on CB radio, Rudolph was the greatest son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and man of God. He built a strong legacy of family, rooted in the love of God. It was a privilege to love and be loved by Rudolph. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Planned PEThood, an organization that Rudolph loved and worked with as he trapped and released a small army of feral cats, which he dearly loved. https://pethoodga.org/give/ Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Road SW, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. 770-962-3100. Please sign the online guest registry at www.stewartfh.com.

Rudolph Rooks

September 26, 1931 - November 22, 2023

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Rudolph Rooks

September 26, 1931 - November 22, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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