Virginia Evelyn Rooks

Virginia Evelyn Smith Rooks, affectionately known to many as Mother Virginia, peacefully entered eternal rest on December 29, 2025, at the age of ninety-six. She was born on October 27, 1929, in Roanoke, Virginia, to the late Henry Smith and Curtis Barringer Smith. She was the third oldest of six children.

Virginia received her early education in Roanoke and proudly graduated from Lucy Addison High School in 1947. Seeking greater opportunities, she later migrated to New York City, where she attended New York City College. In 1954, she met and married the love of her life, Hulen Rooks, Sr., and returned with him to Brunswick, Georgia, where they raised a family and built a life rooted in faith, service, and community.

In Georgia, her early work experience included working as a waitress, private maid, and a dry cleaner’s laundry worker. In 1966, she started working at the Navy Base in the cafeteria during the Navy years in Brunswick, Georgia. In 1977, she represented Southern Cafeteria Co. and won first place in the Sunshine Recipe Contest with an original salad called “Judy’s Delight.” It
included an all-expense trip for two to Orlando, Florida, and a $500 first place check. She dedicated 47 years of faithful service to food services at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Known for her strong work ethic and dependable spirit, she served with pride until her retirement in 2014.

A woman of deep and unwavering faith, Virginia was a devoted member of New Hope United Methodist Church for seventy years. Throughout her lifetime of service, she faithfully served on the Administrative Board, as Church Secretary, greeted visitors as an Usher, and lovingly prepared Sunday meals for the pastor and church officials. She was also an active member of the United Methodist Women’s Organization. Her years of dedication and nurturing spirit earned her the cherished title of “Mother of the Church.”

Beyond the church walls, Virginia was deeply loved in her neighborhood, where she was famously known for her generosity, kindness, and loving personality. Her home was a place of warmth, her heart always open, and her presence a blessing to all who knew her. She formed a special bond in the neighborhood with Cousin Adline Lee, Ms. Juanita Devine, and Ms. Barbara Green.

Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hulen Rooks, Sr.; four brothers, Henry Smith, Willie Smith, Carol Smith, and George Smith; one sister, Dolly Smith Ferguson; oldest son, Steve Brown; and grandson, Desmond Thompson. 

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving children, Sakile “Nell” (Harry) Rooks Flowers, Hulen Rooks, Jr., and Burnett (Zalynia) Rooks; ten grandchildren, Joey, Curtis, Calvin, Rafael, Latasha, Ariel, Tiffany, John, Tyson, and Morgan; twenty-six great-grandchildren; two goddaughters, Janice Cutno and Brenda (John) Smith; a host of loving nieces and nephews; and many other relatives, church family, and dear friends.

Virginia Rooks will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, a devoted wife and mother, and a pillar of strength within her church and community. Her legacy of love, service, and faith will continue to live on through all the lives she touched.