Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Douglas Rucker Obituary
Douglas Aaron was born Oct. 31, 1939, in Honea Path, the son of Ruth Wright Rucker and Aaron Riley Rucker.
He graduated from Barr Street High School in 1957, Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1961, and Howard University College of Dentistry in 1966.
After returning to Lancaster, Dr. Rucker started his career with Carolina Community Action as part of the Headstart Dental Program. Dr. Rucker opened his private practice, Rucker Dentistry, in 1966, and serviced his esteemed community until his death.
Those left to cherish his memory include his devoted wife, Ruby; children, Douglas Aaron Rucker Jr., Aaron Riley Rucker (Nichole), Patricia Rucker-McCray, Ruby Rucker Cooper (Ford), Carlton Douglas Rucker (Lori), Ellen Rucker Sellers (Bakari) and Ione Rucker Jamison; his beloved son William Lawrence Rucker preceded him in death (Daffney); bonus son, Columbus ""Chris"" Parker (Jackie); grandchildren, Brandon, Skyla, Shaniya, Christina, Journey, Alexis, Ford Jr., Lake, Riley, Layla, Sean, Douglas, Siarra, Kai, Kathryn, Keenan, William, Antwan Jr., Aaron, Rucker, Columbus Jr., Elle, Stokely and Sadie; beloved aunt, Gladys Rucker Mattison; sisters, Margaret Rucker Sheftall (Jackson) and Patricia Rucker Pangburn (Kenneth); sisters-in-law, Robbie King Jones (Howard), Ellen King Ferguson, Patricia E. King, Margie Buckson King and Joyce Davis King; brothers-in-law, Andrew P. Corley, Louis James and Howard Jones; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Services are noon Saturday, Sept. 7, viewing is from 9-11:30 a.m., at A. R. Rucker Middle School, 422 Old Dixie Road in Lancaster, with the Rev. Dr. Paulette Leak officiating and the Rev. Christopher Levy Johnson giving the eulogy. Private burial will follow in Lancaster.
Family visitation is 6-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, with viewing from noon-6 p.m., at Mount Zion AME Zion Church, 317 E. Barr St., Lancaster.
The family will receive friends at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Aaron Rucker, 618 Hilldale Drive, Lancaster, SC 29720.
Services of comfort provided by McCray Funeral Home of Lancaster, Christopher King Funeral Home of Chester and Rock Hill, King's Funeral Home of Pageland and Concord, N.C., and King's Funeral Home of Chester and Charlotte.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Rucker
Lillie Duncan
September 1, 2023
RIP Doc you are missed
Patti Evans
September 26, 2019
Dear Rucker family, I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers to your family. May God give you peace during this time of loss.
September 26, 2019
To the family of Dr. Rucker: We send our sincerest condolences to all of you. Doc was a man who was loved and well respected. He treated our family, Mrs. Barnes and all her kids, with so much respect and kindness. He was an awesome man and will truly be missed! Love you all - David and Peggy (Barnes)Winder and family!
Lillie Duncan
September 15, 2019
To the Rucker family so sorry for your loss when my brother's passed away Ruby was right there for us and when we walked out of Mount Zion Church there was Dr. Pat's beautiful face hugging us thank you for the love and that is what I am sending the Rucker family now is Love, your husband and father always had such a beautiful smile it made you feel so good about any and everything, always remember the wonderful good times, and I know it was lots of those praying your family love you all
Ida, Willie Cunningham & Family
September 9, 2019
Our deepest condolences to the Rucker family. Praying for God to strengthen the Rucker Family now an in the days to come.
Quincy champion
September 7, 2019
Carlton and family my thoughts and prayers goes up for you all during this time. God bless.
Love TAZ CHAMPION
David and Peggy Barnes- Winder
September 7, 2019
With our deepest condolences . Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Doc was an awesome man and Im sure his legacy will live on through all of you. Much love and continuous peace! Rest In Peace my fraternity brother... David (Peggy) Winder
Priscilla S. McGriff
September 7, 2019
Prayers for the Family!
September 7, 2019
To Ruby, Pat, and the Rucker Family;
With heartfelt sorrow my family and I send our condolences on the passing of your husband and father, Dr. Douglas A. Rucker, a most respected colleague of our dental and state community. We pray the examples for living he left us will be demonstrated in our daily walk. May God's comfort, peace, and love cover and keep each of you!
With Benevolence,
Dennis Martin,DMD,MAGD; Immed Past Pres, SC State Board of Dentistry
Mr & Mrs Chris Thorpe & Family
September 6, 2019
Mrs. Rucker & the Rucker family,
We are sending our love and prayers to each of you. Dr. Rucker was a light in the community and will be missed.
Laura Lilliewood
September 6, 2019
Ruby,
Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Laura Lilliewood
Patricia Gause
September 6, 2019
My Husband, Charles Gause & I are sending our prayers to Mrs Douglas Rucker and Soror Dr Pasty Rucker McCray and the entire Rucker Family on the lost of Dr Douglas Rucker.
We will continue to keep the entire family in our continue prayers in this healing process.
Allen Smith
September 6, 2019
Prayers for the family.
Michelle Reid
September 6, 2019
Condolences to the Rucker family. May God be with you all! Dr. Rucker will truly be missed.
Jean Caskey
September 6, 2019
My deepest sympathy to the Rucker family. Dr. Douglas A. Rucker was a great dentist. I was his patient when he established his first office, (doing some beautiful crowns). I visited him again in April, 2019 and showed him how the crowns were still just as beautiful. I was to experience more beautiful work from him on September 5, 2019; but God needed more! Wow! GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND HIS HOMETOWN LEGACY. He was one of the "GREATEST".
Andrea Mickle
September 5, 2019
With prayers for your healing and comfort, I send my condolences to the entire Rucker Family. Your grief is shared by friends near and far. May God continue to bless you and give you the will to carry on the legacy of Douglas Rucker.
Clarence Dollison
September 5, 2019
Condolences to the family of Dr. Douglas Rucker. May God grant him the rest and the peace that we all seek. You will be missed.
Shirley Thompson Longmore
September 5, 2019
My heart felt sympathy to the family. May you be comforted in knowing God does not make a mistake.
Dr. Rucker and I were classmates throughout high school.
You will continually be in my prayers!
Sylvia Hutchings
September 5, 2019
I knew Doug just a few years, but he made me feel like we had known each other forever. That was the warmth of his personality. He instilled this in his family. He will be sorely missed as he was greatly loved and admired. My deepest condolences to his lovely wife Ruby and his children and grandchildren.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Hutchings
Patricia C. Parr
September 5, 2019
Always remember the wonderful and joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Doug was an amazing person with a great heart. He will truly be missed.
David Blitchington
September 5, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Dr. Rucker and I worked together for 40+ years. He will be deeply missed. May God be with his family, for he is with God.
David Blitchington
September 5, 2019
So sorry to hear of Dr. Rucker's passing. He was perhaps my favorite doctor in the 40+ years I worked for and knew him. He will be missed. May God be with he and his
family.
David Blitchington
Phoenix Lab.
Margaret Roddey Rushing Roddey
September 5, 2019
Condolences to Dr Rucker's Family....He was a wonderful dentist,Husband,Daddy,Grandad!God Bless the family!
Shirnetha Belk
September 4, 2019
Emotions arise as the news of his death came. As I think back, he so reminded me of his father who I did know well. Dr. Rucker embodied the spirit of both of his parents; for they both saw the world differently.
I pray for your family to remember and remember again all of the love, caring, patience, determination and ingenuity he left in this life.
May he rest in peace, for he has won the highest reward from Heaven.
And may your family find peace as you lay him to rest.
We all loved him but God loved him best.
The Belk Family, Lancaster, SC
Shirnetha, William II, Tanysha, Stephen, Brandon, Lindsey and the grandchildren
Mammie Price
September 4, 2019
To the Family of Dr. Rucker, my heartfelt condolences to your family. Dr. Rucker was the first dentist I went to when growing up in Kershaw. I pray that the memories you made together will sustain you through this trying time.
Shaquita Haggins
September 4, 2019
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. A GREAT MAN TO OUR LANCASTER AND SURROUNDINGS AREA.
Betsy Joanne Pearson
September 4, 2019
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Dr Byron McNeill Jr
September 4, 2019
I would like to extend my deepest and sincere sympathy to Ruby and family on the passing of Dr Rucker . He was truly a great family man and friend . He will always be in my memories as truly a sincere friend .
Dr Byron McNeill Jr
Sherry Barrett
September 4, 2019
To Mrs. Rucker and the entire Rucker Family, Please accept or sincerest condolences in the loss of your loved one. Dr. Rucker was a very kind hearted man who always had a smile every time he'd greet my husband and me. He will certainly be missed.
Love and Prayers,
Rev. Gabriel and Mrs. Sherry Barrett
ROBERT & Valentina Boulware
September 3, 2019
With deepest sympathy....May God continue to bless each of you.
angela massey
September 3, 2019
praying for the family
Frances Moore
September 3, 2019
You have my deepest condolences, God Bless
Yvonne B. Patton and Family
September 3, 2019
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Martha Hayden
September 3, 2019
May condolences to the family of Dr.Rucker.
John Love
September 3, 2019
To the Family of Dr. Rucker: We are praying for you. John W. love, Sr., Harriet Gentry Love, John W. Love, Jr. "Buddy" and Jewel Christain Love. John Love Charlotte, NC
Elaine Johnson Copeland
September 3, 2019
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Nancy Reid
September 2, 2019
My family and I are deeply sadden to learn of the passing of Dr. Rucker. Our loss is heaven's gain.
The Reid family in Baltimore, MD
September 2, 2019
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn:for they shall be comforted.I had the honor and privilege of being a patient, and employee. of DR Rucker. What a kind person,and skilled dentist.GOD IS GOOD! Faith, Love, and Prayers.Rosalind Johnson RDH and her Family Torrance California
Willie Watts
September 2, 2019
my deepest condolences to the Rucker family,Doug was 15 yrs. old when I left Lancaster in 1954. RIP old friend, "June" Watts
STEPHANIE Truesdale
September 2, 2019
My condolences to Mrs. Rucker and her family sending you love peace and understanding!!
Jan Williamson
September 2, 2019
So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Nancy Mangum
September 1, 2019
a wounderful person will be greatly missed
Gary Mackey
September 1, 2019
Our Prayers are with your family!! He is already Missed!!
Gary and Jessica Mackey
John and Ann Mcmanus
September 1, 2019
Ruby, Ann and I would like to express our condolences to you and your family. I consider Doug to have been a GREAt friend. He and I shared a hobby of Mercedes. We will miss him greatly and our prayers are with you and your family.
Andrea Hough Marsh
September 1, 2019
So sorry to hear of Dr. Ruckers death. He was a kind, gentle, and compassionate man. Always had such a beautiful smile. He was my dentist until I moved to North Carolina. I know he will be missed tremendously.
Rose R Goebel
September 1, 2019
So sorry for your loss. He was the first dentist for all three of my children and also treated my husband and myself until 1974 when we moved to Texas. I am sure his patients will miss him.
So sorry for your loss praying for the family Peggy Twitty
September 1, 2019
So sorry for your loss praying for the family
Dave & Tish Lyles
September 1, 2019
All of the Lyles family loved Dr. Rucker! He was our dentist and a great friend! Lancaster will not be the same without him. Our sincere condolences to the Rucker family.
Showing 1 - 50 of 50 results
Make a Donation
in Douglas Rucker's name
Memorial Events
for Douglas Rucker
How to support Douglas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Douglas Rucker's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
