Mildred Ann Rooke

Mildred Ann Grooms Rooke, 98, widow of Horace Lee Rooke passed away on Friday, November 9, 2012.

Funeral services will be private at Holy Cross Cemetery. ARRANGEMENTS BY J. HENRY STUHR INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Mrs. Rooke was born November 26, 1913 in the city of Charleston, SC. She was the daughter of Sulie Bee Grooms and Charlie Grooms. She graduated from Memminger High School, Charleston, SC. Mildred worked at Silvers Five and Dime on King Street and the chocolate factory as well as the cigar factory, known as "Cremo College" after the Cremo cigars they made. At the urging of women there she was encouraged to go back to school. During this time Mildred attended the College of Charleston before getting a call of acceptance from the school of nursing. Mildred graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Nursing as a RN in 1936. She was very proud of her degree in nursing and practiced private duty nursing, living and caring for people in their homes. Mildred and Horace met on Folly Beach and were married on April 12, 1940 moving into the house he had built on Gordon Street. Later that year Horace built another house in Riverland Terrace on James Island where they lived for 66 years. Being raised a Methodist, Mildred enjoyed singing in the choir at St. James Methodist Church on Spring Street. After many years on James Island she joined James Island Baptist Church in 1980. Mildred was a member of the James Island Senior Center from its inception. She enjoyed being a member of the West Ashley AARP at John Wesley United Methodist Church and took charge of the coffee and refreshments for years. She was a homemaker and an avid gardener belonging to the Riverland Terrace Garden Club for many years where she won numerous ribbons for flowers grown in her yard. It gave her great joy to show off her unusual flower specimens at the library and many were entered at the fair every year. Mildred's greatest joy was her garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables, sharing her bounty with family and friends. She was an undisputed Master Gardener.

She is survived by two sons, Horace Amos Rooke (Robin) and Thomas Michael Rooke; a daughter, Mildred R. Waite (Edward, Sr.); a daughter in law, Phyllis Rooke Hinson (Bud); eight grandchildren, Horace Scott Rooke, Dustin Tyler Rooke, Edward Joseph Waite, Jr. (Amy), Brian Patrick Waite (Frances), Dawn Rooke Ludwig, Thomas Michael Rooke, Jr., Charles Scott Rooke, Jr.(Rachel) and Jonathan Drew Rooke (Heather); four step-grandchildren, Dana Rasmussen, Jessica Reid, Courtney Reid and Sarah Jean Hinson; seven great grandchildren, all of Charleston, SC; a brother, James B. Grooms; two sisters, Sulie G. Patterson of Charleston, SC and Mary Louise Ives of Summerville, SC. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and a dear friend, Helen Lukasavage. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, a son, Charles Scott Rooke, two brothers, Scott Grooms who was killed at the Battle of the Bulge in WWII and Charlie Grooms.

"I have fought a good fight, I finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" I Timothy 4; 7-8

Memorials may be made to James Island Baptist Church, 2023 Wappoo Drive, Charleston, SC 29412 or Fort Johnson Baptist Church, 1473 Camp Road, Charleston, SC 29412.