Jesse Mott Rooks,

Jesse Mott Rooks, Jr. of Rocky Mount, 80, passed away on November 1, 2012. He was born September 8, 1932 in Willifordtown and graduated from Benvenue High School. Jesse joined the US Navy after high school and served in combat during the Korean War aboard the USS Bremerton. His love of the sea and service of our country remained throughout his life, and he continued serving until retirement from the US Navy Reserves with forty years service, as a Sr. Chief Boatswains Mate. When Jesse returned to North Carolina following his active duty service, he was employed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad as a machinist. As the railroad consolidated and merged he was relocated to Florence, SC and later returned to Emerson Shops, and ended his career as a switchman. The railroad was a family tradition, as he followed his father, and many other family members followed him. His love of fishing earned him the nickname of Shad as a child, which stuck throughout his life. His interest included hunting, working his farm and nurturing his grape vineyard, and over his life the care of many animals. Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Mott Rooks, Sr. and Mary Whitley Rooks, and four siblings Lula R. Rose of Wilmington, Andrew Benjamin Rooks, Jimmie C. Rooks, and Janet R. Hamilton of Rocky Mount. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Frances Burnette Rooks formerly of Franklin County. He is survived by his son, Garry R. Rooks and his wife Peggy C. Rooks of Libertyville, IL, and his daughter, Janet Rooks Wright and her husband Jay Wright of McLean, VA. He also has four grandchildren Ryan Clark Rooks, Eric W. Rooks, Rachael M. Wright, and David R. Wright. His single surviving sibling is Lucille R. Hyde and her husband Hubert H. Hyde of Nashville. Visitation will be Sunday, November 4, 2012 at Wheeler Woodlief Funeral Home from 7:00-8:30PM.The burial and graveside service will be held on Monday, November 5, 2012 at Rocky Mount Memorial Park at 11:00AM. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 11/4, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Service Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Monday 11/5, 11:00 am Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804