Emery Rooks

Mr. Willard Emery Rooks, Jr., age 81, died Friday, December 29, 2023, at Jackson Madison County Hospital.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Central Baptist Church, with Rev. Kylan Mann officiating, with burial to follow at East Side Cemetery.  Visitation will be after 11:00 AM Wednesday until service time at the church.

Pallbearers serving will be Mark Rooks, Nicholas Rooks, Hudson Tanner, Mike Rooks, Marcus Tanner, Josh Vincent, and Matt Vincent.

Mr. Rooks is survived by his wife, Joyce Johnston Rooks of Martin; daughter, Stephanie (Marcus) Tanner of Bluffton, SC; son, Mark (Rhonda) Rooks of Lyons, MI; sisters, Nancy Russ of Foley, AL and Linda Vincent of Martin; brother, Mike Rooks of Arlington, TN; five grandchildren, Nicholas Rooks, Lilly Rooks, Faith Rooks, Hudson Tanner and Kinsley Tanner.  

He owned and operated Big Star Supermarket before retirement.  He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Martin and was a veteran, US Air Force. 

Emery's greatest joys were Joyce, the love of his life for 59 years, his children and grandchildren who filled his life with love and happiness.  He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with all of his friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Emery Rooks, Sr. and Willie Mae Boone Rooks; one brother, Johnny Rooks.