Audrey Rooks

Audrey Elizabeth Sheppard Rooks

Wrens, GA  –              Audrey Elizabeth Sheppard Rooks, 93, loving wife of the late Andrew “Jack” Jackson Rooks, entered into her eternal rest Friday morning, November 11, 2016 at Brightmoor Hospice Facility in Griffin. Funeral services will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 P.M. Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2016 with Reverend Tommy Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in Waldens United Methodist Church Cemetery.

One of nine children born to the late Mae Williams Sheppard and the late John Mims “J.M.” Sheppard, Audrey was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, living in Stapleton and Wrens her entire life until she could no longer maintain her home alone.  After graduating from Stapleton High School, she married the love of her life and, while he was away at war, attended Andrew College, graduating with a degree in education. While being a loving, devoted wife and mother, Audrey also worked outside of her home—she taught school at Stapleton before leaving to work at the Department of Family and Children Services, retiring with over 30 years of service as a case worker. After retirement, she found great reward in being a wedding planner and a secret shopper.  She enjoyed shopping, arts and crafts and reading, especially the newspaper every morning to keep up with all the happenings. Audrey gave her life to her Lord and Savior at an early age, actively serving him at Waldens United Methodist Church until her health decline. She also enjoyed the fellowship with the Keenagers at Pleasant Grove.  Audrey loved people and was a dedicated, dependable friend. Above all, Audrey had a deep, abiding  care and unconditional love for her family.  She has now been greeted with a “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant” into her heavenly home.

Audrey is also preceded in death by seven siblings, James Sheppard, Buddy Sheppard, J.M. Sheppard Jr., Louise McGahee, Vera Hadden, Gladys Usry and Johnnie Mae Miller. Survivors include her children, Kay Clark, Jodie Mathews (Ron) and Andy Rooks; sister, Wilma Jones; two grandchildren, Wesley K. Mathews (Karen) and Tripp Rooks; two great grandchildren, Austin Mathews and Haley Mathews; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Pallbearers will be Dean Hadden, G.C. McGahee, Eddie Miller, Ollie Miller, Jerry Owens and Jimmy Williams. .

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Saturday evening, November 12, 2016.

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Legacy of Love