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Obituary for Helen Tucker
Helen Fitzgerald Tucker, of Suffolk, Virginia, entered her final rest on April 17, 2016. She was born on June 4, 1917, in McKenney, Virginia, to the late Benjamin and Minnia Ann Fitzgerald. The seventh of nine children, she confessed Christ at an early age and joined the First Baptist Church. After completing Webster Davis High school at Virginia State College, she continued her education by earning a B.B.C. degree from the Orchid Beauty College in New York City and a B.S. degree from St. Paul College in Lawrenceville, Virginia. She went on to own and operate the New York Beauty School and Shop in McKenney, Virginia for twenty years. Afterwards, she further engaged her love for teaching in the Nansemond County and Suffolk School Systems. Helen Tucker last taught and served as assistant to the Principal at Oakland Elementary School in Suffolk.
Helen Tucker’s relationship with God began at an early age and continued throughout her life. She began serving as organist for the First Baptist Church at the young age of nine. She also held this position at Lovely Zion Baptist Church in Rawlings, Virginia. Wishing to reunite with her family, she later joined Big Bethel Baptist Church. There she served as organist, worked with the Youth Department, served as Sunday School Teacher and as Secretary of the Missionary Circle. After moving to Suffolk, Virginia, she became a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church. There she was a Sunday School teacher, member of the Missionary Circle and Pastor’s Aid and served as assistant pianist and organist. After her husband, Dr. H.I. Tucker became pastor of the Olive Branch Baptist Church, to do greater work. She moved her membership to Olive Branch where she served as Sunday School teacher and organist. After Reverend Tucker retired from Olive Branch Baptist Church she moved her membership back to Piney Grove Baptist Church to unit with him.
Although Helen had her ups and downs, God has been good to her. “God brought me through it all, I have had many strokes. In 1972 I was healed by my husband, Dr. Rev. H.I. Tucker, who is deceased. I had a stroke in 1975. It left me paralyzed in my left shoulder. I had to stop teaching. In April 2005 after the death of my husband, I had another stroke. I had a nurse and therapist for three weeks. Her last day, she put a wide band around my waist, took me down the long hall to the kitchen and back to my bedroom. She told me to continue taking my exercise, be sure to stand at the chest of drawers to keep my balance. I read my Bible every night before I would go to sleep. I was reading Luke 7:12-14. Something happened to me. I could no longer function-I became confused. The next morning when I started my exercise, I raised my right leg seven times. When I raised my left leg it just bounced up. I knew God had healed me after 38 years. The whole left side of my body is different from the right side of my body. It is very useful. I call myself “the Siamese twin.” It took a miracle from God. The next night when I got up, my Bible was on my bed opened to the book of Ester. When I went to open my father’s old raggedy Bible, the minute I touched it, it just flopped open to the 38 miracles of our Lord, Jesus Christ. My eyes went to “No. 7” and the 7th miracle. He was lame for 38 years before he was healed by God. One morning when I was out in my yard spreading apples on a table to dry, the Holy Spirit came upon me. I paused, shook my head and said, “Lord I don’t know who I am or what I am.” He gave me one word, “messenger”.”
The following organizations were fortunate to have her as a member: Order of the Eastern Star, Ministers Wives and Widows Organization, The Virginia Education Association, The National Education Association, The South Eastern Church Union and The Sharon Baptist Association who honored her in 2007.
Helen Tucker will always be remembered for her engaging smile; kind, thoughtful and generous nature. She loved her service to the church and community, as well as cooking, gardening and sharing with friends and family.
Helen is predeceased by her husband, Reverend H.I. Tucker; parents, Benjamin and Minnia Fitzgerald and siblings Robert, Herman, Benjamin, Alvin, Jeanette, Corean, Lillian and Martinia.
Mrs. Helen Tucker is survived by her son, Dr. Delano Tucker (Shelia) of Columbia , Md.; three granddaughters, Shamari and Schrese, Columbia, Md. and Delicia, Falls Church; one grandson, Travis (Lori), great grandson, Heston and great granddaughter, Heather, Hamden, Ct. Seven foster daughters include Louise Craig and Pearl Bland of McKenney; Gail Johnson, Ethel Taylor, Carmen Milteer of Suffolk; Gracie Taylor, Portsmouth and Qundel Hatton, Newport News; goddaughter, Kiana Boone of Suffolk. Also, cherishing her memory is a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 23, 2016 at 12:00 noon at Big Bethel Baptist Church, McKenney, Virginia; Reverend Larry Parker of Piney Grove Baptist Church Suffolk, presiding. Viewing will be from 10AM to 8PM on Friday at W. L. Fields Funeral Home
