Lela Mae Tucker

1927 - 2026

Lela Mae Bassett Tucker was born on July 12, 1927, in Chetopa, Kansas, to Ada May Bray and Edgar Bassett, Sr.

After graduating high school, she moved to Kansas City, where she lived with her parents and her beloved maternal grandmother. From an early age, Lela demonstrated a deep sense of compassion and responsibility, qualities that were especially evident in the loving care she provided to her grandmother.

Lela met her future husband, Harrison Tucker, following his honorable discharge from the United States Army. Their shared faith was central to their lives. They were baptized together at Friendship Baptist Church by the late Rev. Isaiah H. Henderson, Jr. Their marriage spanned 66 years, until Harrison’s passing in January 2012, and was a testament to devotion, partnership, and enduring love.

After the birth of their three daughters, Lela achieved a historic milestone when she became the first African American woman appointed as a Court Clerk in any court in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1956. She served with distinction in the Municipal Court, working alongside several judges throughout her long and respected career. Lela retired in 1997 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, integrity, and quiet excellence.

Known for her warm spirit and engaging personality, Lela never met a stranger. She possessed a gentle soul, a kind heart, and a remarkable ability to speak truth with grace. A talented seamstress and an accomplished cook, she shared her gifts freely with family and friends. While she was the proud mother of three daughters, her nurturing spirit extended far beyond her immediate family, as she embraced many others as her children.

Lela was a faithful and active member of Friendship Baptist Church, where she served in several ministries, including the Cradle Roll and Beginners Class, Baptist Training Union, and Youth Fellowship. Her faith guided her life and shaped the way she loved and served others.

In addition to her husband, Lela was preceded in death by her parents, twelve siblings, and several nieces and nephews. She leaves behind a legacy as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and cherished friend. After her love for God, her family remained her greatest priority. Lela Mae Bassett Tucker lived a life marked by faith, service, and love, and her influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.

She is survived by her three daughters, Anita Rice (Cedric), Danbury, CT, Melva Hutton (Cornel), Kansas City, MO, and Donna Neal (James), Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Cameron Earl Rice, Sr. (Kerry), Norwalk, CT, Sharita Hutton Cole, Overland Park, KS, Brandon Tucker Rice (Mollie), Yonkers, NY, Anthony Brent Hutton, Overland Park, KS, Eric Neal, Sr., Kansas City, MO, Tanisha Neal Holliday (Kenneth), Cordova, TN, Harrison T. Neal (Jessica), Kansas City, MO; great-grandchildren, Kristen Denise Holliday, Ayden Hutton McDermott, Grayson Hutton Cole, Cedric Joseph Rice, Cameron Earl Rice, Jr., Corrine Mae Cole, Edward Lee Starks, III, Harrison T. Neal, Jr., Emmett James Rice, Kenneth C. Holliday, II, Kendall H. Rice, Ruby T. Rice, Jackson James Neal, Carrington J. Neal, and Braxton Grace Neal. Lela is also survived by her sisters, Elizabeth Burnett, Chetopa, KS, and Faye Bassett, East Palo Alto, CA.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.