Retired U.S. Army Major Donald Lee Tucker

Retired U.S. Army Major Donald Lee Tucker, Sr. 68, departed this life on
January 2, 2021 at his residence in South Haven, Mississippi.

He was born on December 26, 1952 to the late Rose Hester Gray and Johnny
Lee Tucker of New Madrid, Missouri. He attended elementary and high school
in New Madrid. Donald continued his education at Rust College in Holly
Springs, MS graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political
science. While in Holly Springs, he was elected as the first African American
election commissioner of Marshall County in 1976. After graduating from
college, he joined the United States Army as an officer and retired with the rank
of major. He served as a research and development officer and a company
commander. He was awarded the following commendations for outstanding
military service: The Meritorious Service Medal, 1 st OLe Army Commendation
Medal, Army Achievement Medal, l " OLC National Defense Service Medal,
Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service
Ribbon. In addition to performing his duties as an officer, Donald was an
amateur boxer and traveled around the country representing the United States
Army. He was also a 32nd degree master mason.

Donald was a dedicated Christian and found a church home wherever he lived.
At a young age, he joined the Bebe Memorial Methodist Church in New Madrid.
His faith in God continued to grow as life took him to many different parts of
the country. His last church home was Polk Chapel CM.E. Church in Memphis,
TN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose Hester Gray and Johnny Lee
Tucker; two brothers, Maurice Gray and Johnny Tucker, jr., and one sister,
Tillie Booth.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of forty-four years, Barbara;
one daughter, Barbette Joy Johnson (Cedric) of Houston, MS; two sons, Donald
Tucker, Jr. (Felicia) and William Tucker all of South Haven, MS; five brothers,
Terry Hicks (Zelma) of New Madrid, MO; James Tucker (Beverly) of St. Louis,
MO; Harold Tucker (Carolyn) of Elizabethtown, KY; Ralph Tucker (Brenda) of
Radcliff, KY; and Charles Lynnox (Kimberly) of Columbia, MO; four sisters,
Diana Walker of Memphis, TN; Ernestine Gathing (Greg) and Carla Tucker
both of St. Louis, MO; and Sharon Thomas (Eric) of St. Charles, MO; his
mother-in-law, Bobbie Jean Catledge of Houston, MS; two brothers-in-law,
William Catledge, of Houston, MS and Terry Catledge of Tupelo, MS; and
three sisters-in-law, Virginia Wilson (Larry) of Houston, MS; Margie MCPherson
(Bernard) of Fredericksburg, VA and Brenda French of Houston, MS; four aunts,
Pearline Wright and Ernestine Tucker both of St. Louis, MO; Alline Day of
Elizabethtown, KY; and Mary Frances Gunn (Buddy) of Houston, MS; two
uncles, George Thomas Smith (Mary) of Sikeston, MO; and Robert Lee Johnson
of Wichita, KS; eight grandchildren: Skylar, Morgan, CJ, Madison, Taylor,
Dallas, Summer, and Lucas and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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