By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | In Gwinnett’s formative years starting in 1970 and for the next 37 years, if there was someone in Gwinnett who was the “go to” person for about any question you had, it was Patsy Rooks. The Lawrenceville native, 76, died recently and was buried from Chestnut Grove Baptist Church on Sunday.
When she first came to the Chamber, it was located in the Stark Building, right off the courthouse square. Golden Pirkle of Buford, was the first full-time Chamber executive, starting in 1969, and he hired her.
Patsy was so easy to talk to, especially to the business community. Many a newcomer to Gwinnett had their first contact in the county with her. She often knew of activities in Gwinnett earlier than almost anyone, though she was resolute in keeping these activities under cover until the right time emerged.
Pasty was particularly helpful in guiding the Chamber’s first full-time professional director Len Gilbert, who came to Gwinnett after being Cobb County Chamber’s director. There were few employees at the Chamber then, and Gilbert learned from Patsy the key people he needed to know in the county.
This plaque hangs at the
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
(Photo by Brooke Waters)
Wayne Mason remembers when the Chamber was on the second floor of the Stark building. “I had known her since she was 16. I also remember taking our four kids to Harold Sammon’s restaurant, and would see Patsy and her husband and her two kids eating there.
“She knew everybody, and seemed to always know where they were. If you wanted to locate someone for you, she could find them, even if they were out on their boat. She had everyone down. Yes, she was a great lady, and great for Gwinnett.”
Patsy saw and was deeply involved in the various moves of the Chamber, initially to offices on Langley Drive, where the Chamber for the first time had a decent size conference room. Later she was there as it moved its offices to Sugarloaf Parkway at Georgia Highway 316, near the campus of Gwinnett Tech.
Richard Tucker was the Chamber president when the Chamber moved to its three-story building near the Infinite Energy Center. He says: “She was a great person, loved Gwinnett and its Chamber, and never met a stranger. Neither did she meet anyone who didn’t come away loving her.”
He added: “When Patsy retired from the Chamber, Wayne Mason told her she had all this information about people in Gwinnett and ought to set up a business to find people. But Patsy laughed, and said she couldn’t charge for what she had been giving away all these years.”
Suzanne Adams remembers: “My first job was at the chamber. Patsy suggested they hire me. She was like my work mother, and taught me about work, professionalism, politics, dedication, and work ethics. She shaped a lot of us who are around today.”
She last worked with Jim Maran at the Chamber, retiring in 2007 as vice president of special affairs.
Maran says: “Her knowledge of the county could not be matched by anyone. She was a talented lady, loved by all.”
She assisted so many people, including myself. Back when compiling a history of Gwinnett, she was particularly helpful in chasing down small details, such as the spelling of a person’s name, or even their initials. Her friendliness, honesty and discretion were evident. Patsy was always cultivating people, guiding them, and staying ever alert to what she thought was best for the county.
Patsy E. Rooks, 1942-2018: may you rest in peace.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Follow Us