Jessica Rooney

Jessica Francis Rauton Rooney, of Maumelle, passed into eternal life on September 20, 2026. She was 77 years old.

She was born on May 10, 1949, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Lewis Rauton and Margaret Elizabeth CarlLee Rauton. She grew up in Little Rock and England, Arkansas. She attended Hall High School and University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

After college, Jessica worked with her family real estate business. She met the love of her life, Dr. Thomas Rooney, and they moved to North Little Rock. They were able to build a lifetime of memories over the 40 years they had together. Raising five kids while maintaining a home and being a doctor’s wife was not a small task, but something that Jessica prided herself on.

Jessica was a founding member of the Arkansas Ballet Company. She was an avid runner and rarely missed a day with her running buddies during the 1980’s. She was also a proud and long-time member of the North Little Rock Junior League. Jessica was especially proud of the work she did teaching CPR throughout the community and helping others learn life saving skills.

She loved watching sports. Jessica was a passionate fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Jessica was a woman who lived life on her own terms. She was known for being blunt; you always knew where she stood and she was not afraid to say what she thought. She had a way of being funny when the moment called for it, while also knowing when a moment required solemnity. Her personality, honesty, and individuality made her someone who was truly one of a kind.

Predeceasing Jessica were her parents, Lewis and Deatie Rauton; brother, Randy Rauton; her husband of forty years, Dr. Thomas Rooney II; and her son, Patrick Rooney III.

Her memory will be cherished by her surviving daughter, Maggie Thompson (Geoff); and her stepdaughters, Meredith Cox (Robert), Erin Dunne (Patrick), and Kathleen Rooney. Other survivors include her grandchildren, Sheridan Wheeler, Jackson Wheeler, Connor Thompson, and Callum Thompson; her sister, Lissa Brashear (David) and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and their children.

Jessica will forever be remembered for her love and devotion to her family. She was original, hilariously blunt, and completely irreplaceable.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 4:00 pm. Friday, October 16, 2026 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home.

She loved dogs and always made sure they were an important part of her family. She was very good at spoiling all her pups until she finally lost Stella last year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society (https://warmhearts.org/donate/) or Maumelle Animal Shelter (https://www.maumelle.gov/148/Animal-Services).