Eloise S. Rooks

Eloise S. Rooks PORTSMOUTH - Eloise Simpson Rooks, 84, died Feb. 23, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Rooks, a native of Gadsden, Ala., was the widow of Isadore J. Rooks since his death in 1970. She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church. She was proud to be one of 10 children. She was predeceased by two sons, Michael Joseph Rooks and John Sheridan Rooks and a great-granddaughter, Emily Patricia Smith. Survivors include three daughters, Ann Smith and husband Billy of Annapolis, Md., Margaret Williams and husband Skip of Chesapeake, Elizabeth Burton and husband David of Virginia Beach; a brother, Vincent Simpson; two sisters, Dorothy Penello, Helen Frances Buhs; nine grandchildren, David Williams, Karen Wood, Brian Williams, Lesley Smith, Tracy Roou, Bill Smith, Bridget Smith, Joseph Rooks and Kori Burton; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Paul's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Portsmouth Catholic Cemetery. Friends may join the family Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502. Weasie had a warm smile and a kind heart. She enjoyed traveling, shopping and sitting in the sun.