Bertha Mae Coney-Rooks, 74, of Jesup, Ga., passed away unexpectedly on December 31, 2019, at Wayne Memorial Hospital. She was born on September 19, 1945, to the late Willie Coney and Robbie Parker-Coney, in Sylvania, Ga. Bertha was educated in Wayne County Training School and was a life long member of Emory Chapel United Methodist Church where she served on the Usher Board, the PPR Committee, Kitchen Committee, and as the Church Mother. Her work history would include, Georgia Narrow Fabric, Ashley Manufacturing, and she also worked as a private sitter before becoming an entrepreneur, opening up what was then "Rook's Sandwich Shop" and is known today as "Rook's Cafe". Rooks Cafe has been a thriving business for approximately 38 years now, and will forever be remembered as such. Bertha's hobbies included, cooking, sewing, and spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by both parents, Willie and Robbie Parker-Coney, her husband, Arthur Rooks, and a daughter, Sandra Velasquesz.
She leaves to mourn: her loving children, Retha (Leroy) Weatherspoon, Nancy (William) Nicholson and Arthur (Beverly) Rooks, III, all of Jesup, Ga.; 12 grandchildren, LaQuista (Marquis) Jordan, Keyon Veale, Temesha Boykins, Jessica Weatherspoon, Najah Weatherspoon, Leroy Weatherspoon, Jr., Derrick Weatherspoon, Miracle Boykins, Tyiesha (Jay) Bryant, Carlos (Gloria) Velasquesz, Givanni Rooks and Sheena (Daniel) McGill; (16) great grandchildren; four sisters, Deborah (Collis) Johnson and Rebecca (Freddie) Smith, both of Jesup, Ga., Geraldine (James) Williams, Ft. Myers, Fl., and Frances Coney, of Sylvania, Ga.; two brothers, Warren (Renetta) Coney and Ricky (Joyce) Coney, both of Jesup, Ga.; a nephew, that she raised as a son, Demetrius Coney, Jesup, Ga., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that will truly miss her presence.