Ret. Mrs. Eddie L. Tucker

TUCKER, Ret. Sgt. Mrs. Eddie L. - Age 62, passed away Friday, May 15, 2009 at Henry Ford Hospital. Family hour 10:30AM Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Pentecostal Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C., 401 E. Carton St., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Pastor Henry Jameson officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Saturday. Mrs. Tucker will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1PM-8PM Friday. Ret. Sgt. Mrs. Eddie Lois Tucker was born the second living child to Mr. & Mrs. Elbert Lester, Sr. on October 25, 1946 in Kennett, Missouri. The family moved shortly after her birth to Flint, Michigan. Flint was home for Eddie most of her life. At a very early age, Eddie was baptized at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, under the ministry of the late Rev. R. Turpin. Eddie attended Walker and Clark Elementary Schools, Whittier Jr. High School, and graduated from Southwestern High School in 1965. She had a love for sports that continued throughout her life. In 1963, Eddie married the late Emmett Willingham, Jr. From that union, her daughter, Rita, was born. Eddie attended Mott Community College, where she completed a degree in Nursing. In 1965, she met and married Rozeal Graves. Her son, Rodger, was born in that union. Eddie became a member the Army Reserves, where she achieved the rank of Drill Sergeant. In the Army, she befriended Master Sergeant Leroy Pressley, who has remained a very close friend throughout her life. Sergeant Pressley is currently in Kuwait. She worked several years in the Flint community as a Billing Clerk. She retired from Hurley Hospital. Eddie was a very gregarious and generous person who loved life. Her favorite activities included bridge, bowling and dancing. Before her health failed, she spent most of her time with grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. She continued to play bridge nightly with her beloved friend, Mrs. Dorothy Laws right up until her death. Her warm smile and quick wit will not be forgotten. She was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, under the ministry of Reverend James Kennedy, attending until her health failed her. In 1993, she married the love of her life, James Edward Tucker. Their marriage was very happy and successful until James’ death. Eddie also lost her mother, Mrs. Ruth Lester in 2003. This prompted her decision to leave her home in Clio and move to West Bloomfield, MI to be near her sister, Beverly. She remained in West Bloomfield until she passed away. In the last year of her life, Eddie became great friends with sisters, Linda Stuckey and Marsha Carreker, (best friends of her sister, Beverly). These two women ministered continuously to Eddie, caring for her daily. Eddie renewed her commitment to God as she prepared herself to go home to be with the Lord. The family will be eternally grateful to Marsha and Linda for their love and kindness. Two of Eddie’s best friends, Mr. & Mrs. Bobby and Diari Collins, spent time caring for her. The family will remain eternally grateful for the love shown by them. Diari is the daughter of Mrs. Marie Gosha, Eddie’s godmother. Eddie will be greatly missed by her grandson, Chavez, who often spent his school vacations taking care of her. Ret. Sgt. Mrs. Eddie L. Tucker leaves to cherish her memory: children, Mrs. Rita Pauline (Ronald) Person, Mr. Rodger Paul (Sheletha) Graves; siblings, Mr. Elbert L. (Ula) Lester, Jr., all of Flint, Dr. Joyce Nash (Isom) Nadir of Rochester, NY, Minister Beverly LaRuth (Alan) Bennett of West Bloomfield, MI; grandchildren, Penny, Rodger Jr., Sherry, Diamond, Satoria and Chavez; 2 great grandchildren; goddaughter, Sheri Ann; uncle, Marshall Powell; nieces and nephews; Anthony, Kimberly, Demetrius, Cortney and Joel; mother-in-law, Genovar Willingham; sister-in-law, Catherine Lester; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Ret. Sgt. Mrs. Tucker was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. James Edward Tucker and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elbert and Ruth Lester, Sr.