Ruby Rooks

ROOKS, Ruby 89 of Springfield passed away on February 26, 2013 in the Springfield Regional Medical Center with son John and daughter-in-law Mary by her side. She was born on April 25, 1923 in South Hampton, England to Charles and Maude Safe. She leaves behind two sons John (Mary) Jr. of Springfield and Randy (Tessi) of Mableton, GA. Grandchildren Tammie Rooks, Jeana (Terry) Zeitz, Christopher & James Rooks, Rachel (Odie) Tollefson, & Tracy (Edward) Mason. Great-grandchildren John, Nicki, & Nattie Zeitz, Jacki Issacs, Samantha, Russel & Hunter Tollefson, Brandy, Edward, Kyle & Samuel Mason, and one Great-Great-grandson Tanner Issacs, sister Cynthia (Harley) Rodgers, brother Terry (Barb) Safe, and several nieces and nephews and special companion, her grand(dog) Molly. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband John and her parents Charles & Maude Safe. Ruby was a telephone operator during WWII and volunteered at the USO. She met John while he was in the Navy stationed in England. They fell in love and were married in 1946. She was among the first War Brides to come to America. She worked at Wrens Dept Store for many years as a telephone operator before moving to California. Ruby loved to knit toys and baby hats. When she lived in California she volunteered at the Los Robeles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, for over 25 years. While working there she started an annual craft boutique that everyone loved. She also made little hats for the preemies for many years as well as colorful watch caps for our soldiers in the Middle East. Ruby wanted to be cremated and her services will follow on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at JACKSON LYTLE & LEWIS FUNERAL HOME on North Limestone in Springfield. In the spring her son John and wife Mary will take her ashes to California to be buried with her husband. Special thanks to the staff at Hearth & Home El Camino for taking great care of her these past 14 months and the doctors and nurses at Springfield Regional Medical Center for keeping her comfortable her last days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.

Ruby Rooks

April 25, 1923 - February 26, 2013