Lee Roy Rooker, 72, died unexpectedly at his home in Tupelo. Lee was born in Blue Mountain,
spent much of his youth in Memphis and eventually settled in the Tupelo area. A proud and patriotic
American, Lee served his country in the U. S. Marines during the Vietnam War. Upon being honorably
discharged, he had received many commendations and medals for his valor including the Purple Heart.
He married Mary Maxine Stewart in November, 1971. Lee became a master pipefitter and welder and
held memberships in the Boilermakers Union, Iron Workers Union and Pipefitters Union. His last 10
years were spent with Century Construction in Tupelo where he was a valuable and revered employee.
Besides work and family, Lee was a skillful musician. He had a longstanding band named the
Southernaires and opened for many popular artists. A “bad to the bone guitarist”, Lee was also a
songwriter and sold the song, “Don’t take her-She’s all I Got” to Johnny Paycheck, who took it to the top
of the charts. Lee loved guns, playing poker and westerns.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Tupelo Chapel of
Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Dave Jensen and Bro. David Perry officiating. Burial, with full military
honors, will be in the New Chapel Cemetery near Nettleton . Visitation will be from Noon-service t ime
Thursday only at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.\
Lee leaves his wife: Maxine Rooker of Tupelo; his daughter, Samantha “Poochie Baby” Rooker Browning
of Tupelo; 3 sons, Rawdy Rooker (Crystal) and Teddy Rooker all of Tupelo; and Donnie Carwile (Lori) of
Dorsey. The grandchildren: Rawdy “Rook” Rooker, II, Beaudi Rooker, Abby Rooker, T. J. Rooker, Rocky
Coleman, Ashley Ripey, Brooklyn Carwile and Brandon Carwile, Candace Weaver, Stevie Browning, Brea
Browing and Nelson Browning. 4 siblings: Toby Rooker (Zane), Ronny Rooker, Don Rooker (Carolyn) and
Sammy Rooker. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Tammy Steward and a son,
Rocky Stewart.
