Fletcher Tucker

Fletcher Tucker

Fletcher Tucker, 98, of Evington, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 1, 2009. He was born on the Dutch Hill Tucker Farm at Orrix, now Evington, Feb. 14, 1911, in Bedford County, a son of the late Fitzhugh Lee Tucker and Mildred Flora Roberts. He was also preceded in death by his wife of forty eight years, Ruby Wildman Tucker, his second wife, Faye Murphy Francis Tucker, two brothers, William Saunders Tucker and Robert Lee Tucker, and a sister, Callie Susan Tucker Womack.

Fletcher attended Orrix School and later went to work at the Lane Company in Altavista. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was transferred to the 317th troop ship the USS Maui; he was later stationed at Garbut Army Camp in Townsville, Australia, and two years later was tranferred to Biak Island. Master Sgt. Tucker went to Japan during the occupation and returned to the States in 1945. He returned to work at the Lane Company as a shipping supervisor for the next 33 years. He married his sweetheart, Ruby Wildman, in 1945, and their lives were filled with the beauty of flowers, fruits, vegetables, honey bees and the love for their friends, neighbors and Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, clerk and Sunday school teacher.

Fletcher is survived by a nephew, Timothy Lee Tucker. Tim was the joy in Fletcher's life as he watched Tim learn to ride his tricycle while pulling a little red wagon. The admiration continued and grew to include Laura, Tim's wife, and their daughter, Beth Ann Tucker Cook. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and four stepchildren and their families.

A funeral service will be conducted at the graveside in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Andy Rice officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 16 of Lynchburg.

Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Huddleston.