Bernice Rooks

Bernice Rooks, 87, of Columbia died Friday, March 15, 2019 at her residence. Born in Adair County, she was the daughter of the late Jesse L. and Emma T. Hadley Burton. Mrs. Rooks was saved at an early age at the Purdy Separate Baptist Church and later joined the Caldwell Separate Baptist Church.

She enjoyed gardening, canning the vegetables from her garden and fishing. She and her husband, Avery, loved singing with various groups of people at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Her survivors include her husband, Avery Lee Rooks of Columbia; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, friends and other relatives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by twelve siblings, Edith Streeval, Margie Burton, Catharine Janes, Linda Gail Bell, Glenna J. Compton, Fredia Ruth Burton, Jewel Dean Burton, Golen Burton, J. D. Burton, Marshall Burton, Huston Burton, and William J. Burton, Jr.

The funeral services were at 10:00am on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at the Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Columbia Cemetery. Visitation was on Monday from 4:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home and continued on Tuesday until time for the service.

Bro. David Coffey officiated, and pallbearers were Sammy Janes, Steve Bell, Curt Burton, Dwayne Burton, Jackie Cravens, Lee Burton, and Larry Streeval.