Mr. Kenneth Leon Roark

“Give the World a Smile” was a song and motto that Ken Roark used throughout life. Ken Roark, 88, went to meet his Lord on August 6, 2014. He was living at Collins State Veterans Home. Ken loved giving away his smile to all people. Ken was born June 14, 1926 in Louisiana and lived in Alexandria and Baton Rouge. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. William L. Roark of Alexandria, LA. In 1943, Ken entered the Navy during the WWII conflict. He served two years in the South Pacific. He was always a go-getter. After serving in the Navy, he finished high school and went to work. In September 1948, Ken married the love of his life, Georgia M. Kelly from Alexandria, LA. They lived in Baton Rouge, LA, where Ken worked at Ethel Corp. for many years. The family moved to Jackson, MS when he was transferred with his company. While building his home in Jackson, both Ken and Georgia had a love for horses and camping. They both enjoyed riding horses and camping with friends they had made in their adventures. As a family they took the horses to Montana to ride through the mountains and streams. Ken loved to talk and always had a story to tell. Ken retired from Fort Dodge Pharmaceutical Company in 1980 due to health reasons. He lost his wife, Georgia, to cancer on December 18, 2005. Ken loved his Lord whom he met later in life. Looking forward to joining Jesus and Georgia, he always referred to himself as “blessed”. He later wrote a poem about being blessed. Ken Roark leaves his legacy to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He is survived by a daughter, Pam Roark Cockrell ( Rev. John Cockrell) and their children Chad (Mitzi), Shane (Lacy), Kelli Cockrell, and Sarah Cockrell Gadilhe (Joseph); Ken’s son, Rory L. Roark (Suzanne).; great-grandchild Ellie Kate Cockrell and sister Sybil J. Roark Allison Doherty (Ben) of Dallas, TX. Visitation will be 9:00am until the 11:00am funeral service, Friday, August 8, 2014, all at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram followed by interment at Lakewood South. John Cockrell, (son-in-law) from First Baptist of Ellisville, MS, will officiate and grandson Shane Cockrell will sing. On line guest book available at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.