Corrine Scott Rooks

CORRINE SCOTT ROOKS, fondly known as “Corky,” the third child of the late Richard Perry B. and Cora Hammond Scott, was born on June 30, 1923 in Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland. She departed this life on Friday, October 7, 2011 of Alzheimer’s disease. Corrine received her elementary school education in the public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. At the age of 12, following the death of both parents, she went to live with Vernon and Flora VanHorne in Brooklyn, New York. After completing her public school education, she attended the kings County Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1946. She was employed by the New York City Public Health Department, where she retired after many years of devoted service. While living with the VanHornes, she continued visiting her sisters in Maryland, maintaining close relationships with them, other family and friends. It was during one of her visits when she met Philip Howard Rooks, Sr. They were married on July 22, 1950 in Maryland. They resided in Brooklyn, New York. Out of this union two children were born: Paula and Philip Jr. The family lived in Brooklyn, New York before moving to Saint Albans (Queens), New York in 1956. Philip and Corrine moved to Ferndale (Glen Burnie), Maryland in 1993. Corrine’s religious education began at Sharp Street United Methodist Church in Baltimore City. While living in Saint Albans, Philip and Corrine were long time members of Saint Albans Episcopal Church. After moving to Maryland, they became members of The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Baltimore City. Corrine took Pleasure in many pursuits. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her Dr. Byrd Cake, which she distributed to family and friends, often mailing them all across the United States. She loved to travel and after her retirement, she and a group of friends formed a social club called the Joliettes. They traveled all over the United States, Caribbean and Europe. She was active in Philip’s Hampton Institute School’s (Hampton University) Alumni Association, Long Island Chapter in Saint Albans. She chaired the parent/student weekends committee. They arranged college career trips for high school students who were considering attendance at Hampton Institute. The committee also arranged for groups of parents to visit their children attending Hampton Institute. Corrine loved to sew, entertain and decorate the home for the holidays. She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving daughter, Paula Faye Rooks; sisters, Eura Scott Howard and Alberta Scott Gaither; nephew, Joseph “Rusty” A. Armstead, Jr.; niece, Donna R. Gaither; brothers-in-law, Joseph C. Howard, Donald G. Gaither, James O. Rooks and Ronald “Butch” Rooks; sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Howard, Esther Rooks White, L. Genevieve Williams, Hilda Williams Rooks, Dorothy Harris Rooks and Yvonne Rooks; godchildren, Melanie Leid-Sweet and Ronald V. Rooks; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Philip H. Rooks, Sr. and son Philip H. Rooks, Jr.

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Corrine Scott Rooks

June 30, 1923 - October 7, 2011