Joanna Rooks

OBITUARY: (CHICAGO, IL) Joanna "Jo" Rooks, 89, died Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, IL following a brief illness. Born and raised in Montrose, Arkansas, Joanna was the daughter of James and Magnolia Williams (Thomas). She is survived by her beloved elder sister, Charlotte Hervey-Bickford. Jo and her sister were inseparable. As children they enjoyed playing together with their cousins in Arkansas and traveling to Saint Louis to visit family. As adults they moved to Massachusetts together with their spouses as military wives. Once Joanna moved to Chicago, she and her sister continued to stay close with daily phone calls. They were each other's best friends. If Joanna was not with her sister, she was likely hard at work. Jo took pride in her work, always striving for excellence. While living in MA, she worked at B.F. Goodrich Tire Company for over 20 years until its closing. After the plant closed, Jo moved to Chicago to explore other opportunities. It is here were she remained. She drove for Cook-DuPage Transportation for nearly 30 years even earning an Achievement award for her hard work and dedicated service. While Jo worked hard, she always kept God first. She was extremely active in church, including teaching Sunday school, ushering, and even having the honor of becoming Usher Supervisor at Union Baptist Church in Cambridge, MA. She remained active in Trinity United Church in Chicago until her passing, attending services as regularly as possible. She was an avid bible reader and was constantly communicating with God, never forgetting to lift up her family in prayer. Joanna was cherished by her family. She was like a second mother to her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed treating them to memorable excursions like the World's Fair, numerous trips on the Mohawk Trail, and annual trips to Texas to visit her brother Tanzy. She enjoyed spoiling her grandnieces and grandnephews with ice-cream, treats, and her wonderful home cooked meals. She had a heart full of love and never missed an opportunity to share it with her family and friends. Joanna Rooks will be remembered in our hearts as stylish, full of life, fair, compassionate, straight to the point, kind, talented, humorous, and full of love. She was truly one of a kind. Arrangements by the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St. Middleboro, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to remember Joanna Rook's life through visiting hours on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 10-12 pm followed by a service and interment at Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.