Mary was born in Ingalls, Bradley County, AR. Mary is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard Tucker; her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Robert Akin of Monticello; her daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Kevin White of Eads, TN; and her son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Carrie Tucker of Springdale, AR; five granddaughters, Britni Akin of Fort Collins, CO, Kinsley Akin Vickers (Hunter) of Monticello, AR, Haylee Burton of Fayetteville, AR; Jane, Mae, and Ruby Tucker of Springdale, AR; two step-grandsons, Chase and Carter White of Eads, TN; and one great-grandson, Boston Akin of Fort Collins, CO. She is also survived by her brother, Gene Parish of Hartsville, Ohio and by her foster siblings Marnell Johnson Smith of Camden, Earnest Johnson, Ann Johnson Burchette, all of Warren, Bradley County, AR.
Beginning at the age of 8, Mary lived with her late Aunt Martella Robertson Johnson (Mary's mother's sister) and her husband Horace's family until she married Richard Tucker on April 20, 1962. She loved growing up on the farm near Ingalls, riding the school bus with sister, Ann, and classmates to Hermitage School until she graduated in 1961. Her foster siblings always made her feel welcomed and filled her heart with love and joy. They all attended Union Hill Baptist Church where she became a Christian.
Mary retired from Burlington after 32 years of service and then worked at School Apparel in Star City for 5 years. She loved her job and all the friends she worked with. Family was the most important thing in Mary's life. Having a family meant everything to her. She measured success by the connectedness and happiness of her children and grandchildren and loved them all so well. She was a faithful wife, loving mother, and amazing Memaw and will be remembered for her lectures, hand-sewn dresses, and lullabies.
After retirement, she spent most of her time in her backyard creating a sanctuary for her friends and family, by using her talents with gardening and horticulture. During the days when the weather was bad, she loved to work on organizing family photos and collecting information for her family tree. She also loved entertaining her Town & Country Garden Club members, with which she was a member for almost 50 years. She and her husband, Richard, were also members of the Order of Eastern Star, chapter 374, for 50 years where she served as a Starpoint.
Mary loved the Lord, and He used her up until the day He took her home to touch many who crossed her path. Mary was a good friend and she was full of wisdom and words of strength and encouragement for everyone she met. Mary saw every opportunity to help people as a gift from the Lord. She took these opportunities seriously and was quick to respond in any way she could, most especially by praying for them or by passing along a cutting from her beloved garden to cheer someone up. Mary was a blessing and she will be deeply missed.
Mary's family would like to thank her niece Karen Richardson, Nicole Petrouski, Peggy Trantham, Allen Savage and Bradley County Home Health for all of the sweet care and love they gave her, especially in the last few months as she dealt with the difficulties presented with ALS.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service time starting at 1:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to ALS Foundation, P O Box 40244, Nashville, TN 37204-0244.Online guestbook www. stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(17)
LeAnne Burch
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 23, 2019 Prayers and a wish for special memories for all the family.Mildred Chastain
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 23, 2019 Prayers for all the family...and friends who loved herJohn & Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Friday, November 22, 2019 You are all in our thoughts and prayers during the days ahead.Love,
John, Paige, Colt, Brayden, Jayson, Jared, Jake, & Brad
Nancy Smith
Maumelle, AR Friday, November 22, 2019 Chris, and all your family,Bill and I were saddened and so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She is healed now as she is in the presence of Jesus, along with our Ben.
Prayers and blessings,
Bill and Nancy
Lena (Feeser) Cooper
White Hall, AR Thursday, November 21, 2019 Richard, sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and the family.James Brown
Monticello, AR Thursday, November 21, 2019 Richard and family we are praying that The Lord will hold you all a little closer and bring you peace and comfort at this time. Mary was a truly wonderful person, it was an honor and a privilege to know her and to be friends with her. She will be greatly missed.Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Thursday, November 21, 2019 Richard & family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers. What a precious lady, Mary! May God give you peace and comfort.Wilmot Green
Warren, AR Thursday, November 21, 2019 So sorry to hear this. I remember Mary and her brother Gene from our schooldays at Hermitage. She was a little younger than me and my wife. May God keep you in His loving comforting arms and lead you through these trying times.Wilmot and Thelma Green, HHS class of 1953
Jane Harrison
Monticello, AR Thursday, November 21, 2019 Prayers sent to all❤️Sherry O'Neill-Rawls
Monticello, AR Thursday, November 21, 2019 I am so sorry for your loss. Mary was a sweet person & I loved her. I have many good memories of her while we were in Eastern Star together. We missed her these last few years.Lila Loveless
Hot springs, AR Wednesday, November 20, 2019 I worked for Mary at Burlington. She was a jewel. Kind, smart, and jyst a joy to be around. I know she will be missed. Prayers for the family.Georgina Light
, GA Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Aunt Mary we will all miss you sooo much. Heaven called one of their angels home. I will miss your beautiful smile and your lovingly heart. You always made me feel specialBARBARA NEWTON
MONTICELLO, AR Tuesday, November 19, 2019 CINDY, I AM SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR MOM.. SHE WAS A REAL SWEETHEART AND I KNOW WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.Sharon Shook McIntyre
Monticello, AR Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Dear Richard, Cindy, Laurie, Chris & all extended family,I share in your sorrow & hold you close in heart & prayer. I loved her so much & will forever miss her. She was my friend for almost 49 years, she made my wedding dress, she was my mentor & over the years spiritual advisor to me when I was going through difficult times. She loved the Lord placed all of her faith in Him & family was so important to her.I am blessed the Lord allowed me to come back home last December because I have been able to have visits with Mary over the last year. I am truly the one who is blessed that God placed her in my life.
In Christian Love,
Sharon
Mark Ply
Dermott, AR Monday, November 18, 2019 Prayers for you and your family.Judy Gay Lester Counts
Hurley, VA Monday, November 18, 2019 So sorry for the loss of your precious wife, mother and grandmother. May God keep the family in his loving arms throught this time of sorrow and in the days to come. Mary was a very sweet and caring person and friend.Mark&Mary withers
Camden, AR Monday, November 18, 2019 We are so sorry for y'all's loss, Mary was a great lady and will be greatly missed, prayers for the family!