Monday
December 2nd, 2024
3:23PM
Harvey Gradylon Rooks, left his earthly home and entered the gates of heaven on Sunday, November 24, 2024. He was 91 years of age.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Saturday, November 30, 2024, prior to the service at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel. A funeral in celebration of his life will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Harvey was the son of the late Leonard Grady Rooks and Gladys Mae (Milner) Rooks. He was born on February 20, 1933 in Griffin, Georgia. He graduated from Spalding High School in 1950, and graduated from Southern Tech in 1956. He married Betty Cleo (Cook) on December 22, 1954.
Harvey served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. He complete his basic training at Fort Gordon in Grovetown, Georgia, and was then stationed in Frankfort, Germany and served in the Army Security Agency (ASA). After his discharge, he moved to Athens, Georgia. In 1960, he moved to Gainesville, Georgia.
He owned an HVAC company and many apartment complexes in Gainesville.
Harvey was a dedicated Christian and was always active in his church. As a boy in Griffin, he attended Devotie Baptist Church. While he was stationed in Frankfort, Germany, he was involved with starting a Baptist Church in the community. After moving to Gainesville, he was an active member of Central Baptist Church, where he served in many roles, including Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher, the Brotherhood, and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He also chaperoned youth mission trips. He volunteered at Camp Pinnacle in Clayton, Georgia, where he supervised workers who were building new cabins for the camp.
Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved sister, Marie Rooks Butler.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Cleo (Cook) Rooks; his children Faith Patterson (Roger) of Pittsboro, North Carolina; Keith Rooks (Molly) of Gainesville, Georgia; and Adina Williamson (Gary) of Loganville, Georgia; his grandchildren, Renee Leonard (Joel) of Greensboro, North Carolina; Beth Mellott (Lane) of Pittsboro, North Carolina; Katie DeFlorio (Nick) of Gainesville, Georgia; Patrick Rooks of Decatur, Georgia; Kristen Cowart of Cartersville, Georgia; and Zachary Cowart (Riley) of New Orleans, Louisiana; and seven great-grandchildren, Evelyn Leonard, Charlotte Leonard, Lacey Mellott, Hannah Mellott, Aidan DeFlorio, Carter DeFlorio and Matthew DeFlorio. He is also survived by two sisters, Estelle DeJarnette and Carolyn Bohler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Flowers will be accepted or for those who wish in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Central Baptist Church of Gainesville, Georgia 785 Main Street, Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements
For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com .
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