Gay LaVonda Rooke entered into the heavenly realm on November 13, 2022. Growing up in a military family, Gay attended schools in the U.S. and Germany. She graduated in 1982 from Manor High School in Portsmouth, VA, where she was a member of the track and field team and made lifelong friends. She went on to attend Norfolk State University, where she participated in Naval ROTC.
Gay resided in the Victory Manor community in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she grew up, and was well-known to many neighbors and friends for a good laugh and a heart to share.
That heart extended to service in the various jobs and positions she took. She had a particular gift that surfaced that she shared to the end: supporting homebound seniors and those with dementia, enabling them to live in their familiar spaces with safety and dignity.
Gay loved music. She played the organ and piano, and yes, Lord, could she dance and sing! She was Donna Summer personified in the 80’s. There was not a wig, make-up trend or flashy outfit that she wouldn’t boldly wear. And her nails were always done!
Gay was the beloved mother to Gabriella, Isaac, Camille and George (Aaron). She was affectionately called “Grandma Gay” by Aubrielle, Amoré and Gelayna.
Gay was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Dena Mae and Harvey McIntosh, and paternal grandparents, Mary and Isaac Curry, Jr.; maternal aunts Mary (Ruth) Allen, Mary Davis and Minnie Hoskie; paternal aunt, Rosa Key and paternal uncle, Lambert Curry.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and faithful parents, Frances L. Curry and Isaac L. Curry III; brother, Tony (Sybil) Curry; sister, Tracy (Marcus) Owens; children, Gabriella Rooke, Isaac Curry IV, Camille Small and George (Aaron) Small; granddaughters, Aubrielle Rooke, Amoré Rooke and Gelayna Rooke; niece, Maya Owens; nephews, Brendan Curry and Marcellus Owens and a host of extended family and friends.
As we remember Gay with love, sing a song. Do a dance. Enjoy good food. Have a laugh. Let us reflect and rejoice over the precious days we were blessed to share with her.
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Carmen Rooke-Foster says
November 16, 2022 at 10:09 pmSending prayers of peace, comfort and Condolences to the family. May God grant you the strength to carry on.
Love Carmen Rooke -Foster.
Curtis and Teresa Gunn says
November 17, 2022 at 12:25 pmIke, Frances and family, we offer our sincerest and heartfelt condolences as you grieve the loss of your family’s loved one.
Maurice Holland says
November 17, 2022 at 8:06 pmOn behalf of officers and members of Brighton Rock Lodge #79, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences on the loss of your loved one. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Olga Rooke Herbert and Family says
November 18, 2022 at 1:11 amPlease accept our deepest sympathies and know that our
prayers are with all of you during this time
Olga Rooke Herbert and Family
Lisa M. Belton says
November 19, 2022 at 7:09 amTo the family of Gay Rooke – I pray that you all find your strength within the Lord to help you through this difficult time. Gay was the best neighbor ever and my friend to the end. She will be truly missed. My mother is one of her dementia seniors she took care of. My mother loved Gay. She always talked about the day she took her to the base to meet Rooke. Momma said -I dropped Gay off just before going to my building and she stop traffic in her red dress and long flowing hair. Momma said she was sharp now. 😊 Whenever I talk to Momma about Gay she always says; Our Gay? So I want the family to know that me and my family are here for you all. We are going to miss Our Gay!
Guillermo Rooke says
November 20, 2022 at 6:45 pmIn your time of grief look to the hills for that is where your help comes from. May God grant you peace and blessings now and forever.
Amen
Kenneth Long says
November 20, 2022 at 9:52 pmI like to offer my condolences to the entire family of my dear friend Gay Gay 💔. Over this last year Gay and I reconnected we talked on the phone everyday sometimes four or five times and if she ever needed anything she would call me and we will go to the store or her mother house. By us we connecting if we connected My sister Margaret and Ms Francis together who are friends long time ago on behalf of my sister Margaret long Watson and myself Kenneth Long our hearts are broken for you and we love you gay I will miss you always
Ray and Adriane Fisher says
November 21, 2022 at 3:41 pmPlease accept our deepest and know that our prayers are with all of you during this time
Aubren & Brenda Dalton says
November 21, 2022 at 8:43 pmPlease accept our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your love one. May GOD continue to strengthen and keep you in HIS loving arms. May knowing that Gay rests peacefully and eternally with her SAVIOR provide the comfort that is so needed at this time. Sweet memories of Gay will help to sustain you. Gone but never forgotten! Rest in peace!
Terry and Phyllis says
November 21, 2022 at 10:38 pmexpresses our heartfelt condolences to all Beloved of Gay. Just know that you all are in our prayers for God’s abiding love and favor during this difficult time and beyond.