Stephen W. Rucker Sr.

To: Rucker Family

My heart is heavy from the loss of your love one and my "long-term friend, Stevie." I was devastated to hear about his passing. I will never forget him. His friendship is embedded in my memory. We were introduced in 1977, after first attending PQC. Stevie D. was an amazing person, baseball player, athletically inclined: in running, basketball, dancing, and had a jovial personality. He always had you laughing...I speak of him often to relatives and others, when speaking of college years.. He wasn't only a friend, but a brother.. Gone, but not forgotten.. He is no longer in pain. PQC TIGER FOREVER, "FAMILY" R.I.P. Cassandra Spade "Short" Love forever, Miss PQC 1980-81

Hey buddy! We had a long GOoD run from Longview Park (Bootleg/Thomas Jones), NULEIO (Mr. Wells & Scales), LeMoyne-Owen College & District Champions Paul Quinn College (Coach Fonteneaux), City Champions Memphis Warriors (Coach Rudd), The World Champion Memphis 50s (Coach Clarence Todd). Man, we did it BIG & as you would say "LOOKED GOoD DOING IT"!
I've talked to many guys that bowed their heads as they boasted of your athleticism, unstoppable confidence and ability to run down balls we knew were triples in the gap. Man you amazed everyone that was fortunate enough to see you play. LOL, that even includes my Dad as he bragged about this little guy at Southside. It used to tickle me during early Fall workouts at Paul Quinn College to see 5 guys in left field and 6 in right field trying out and you standing alone in Center Field as the KING of the Outfield. It appeared the word got out fast that there was no need in anyone trying out in Center Field cause this little bitty guy from South Memphis had it locked down.
Thanks for the laughs & the never ending pranks you invented and repeated until the slow ones caught up with us. Thanks for being real and true to who you were (tough on the outside but kind to a fault). I appreciate your honesty in our many conversations about life, situations and your realization that you couldn't do life without GOD.
TOGETHER WE STOOD! AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER? I ANSWER, YES.
I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU BROTHER.