Gertis Irene Rooker Robertson, age 99, went joyfully and peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Friday, November 13, 2020. She was born in Cullman, Alabama, to Marvin and Lula Jester Rooker and was one of ten children. She was affectionately known as “Mama Irene” or “MaMaw” to many outside her family. If she met you more than a few times it was likely that you were going to be the recipient of her famous fried pies or other delicious baked goods. She shared these throughout the community for many years.
Irene loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Meadowview Baptist Church for over 50 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher almost all of that time. She also sang in the choir and served at various times as the Girls Auxiliary (GA) and ACTEEN leader, Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) leader, and in other church and denominational roles. She loved God’s Word and read the entire Bible through every year.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Thomas Quattlebaum. Survivors include one sister, Barbara Rooker Baron; and her children: Sandy (Dick) Neubauer, Clyde (Nan) Quattlebaum, Bennie Matthews, Annette Ingram, Beverly (Stan Bone) Absher-Bone, Glenn (Elizabeth) Barnett, and Ray (Cindy) Barnett. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren, and over 100 great or great-great-grandchildren.
Irene will be remembered as a devoted and loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her witness for Christ and her kind and generous spirit was a tremendous influence on all who knew her and will live on through her family and friends.
A celebration of life for Irene will be at Neal Funeral Home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, on Sunday, November 15, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue until the service. Guests are asked to wear masks and use hand sanitizer which will be provided at the entrance. For those wishing to observe a more stringent level of social distancing, a brief graveside service will be observed at 2:00 p.m. at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens.
