Dec. 27, 1920 – March 1, 2025
Edna Mae Tucker, 104 of Vian, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Vian.
Edna Mae was blessed to the union of Ellen and William Robinson on Dec. 27, 1920, in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she attended grade school. In 1934, her family relocated to Chicago, where she attended DuSable High School. During this time she joined Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Milton Brunson singing with the Thompson Community Singers.
Her first career began with Waltz Candy Co. where she met William H. Mitchell, Sr. and started a family, adding children, Leonard, William, Jr., Albert, Jerry, Fred, and Jacqueline “Peggy.”
Her next journey in life began in Colbert, Mich., in 1940, where she met Robert Val Ash and more children were added to her family, Ellen (Al) and Diana. Returning to Chicago around 1945, she began a career with Woolworths Five & Dime Co. where she met the love of her life, Marion Lee Tucker, Sr. and more children were added, Ricky, Marion, Charles, Bernita, Jenyce, Barbara, Renita, Sharon, Vera, Dottie and Cassandra. Edna and Marion, Sr. raised their children on the south side of Chicago until his death in 1981. She then relocated to Benton Harbor, Mich., and in 1996, she settled in Sallisaw.
During her time in Oklahoma she joined Greater New Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend James Jones. She was a busy lady, never sitting still; she worked all over, including Wal Mart (the friendliest door greeter), KFC (if you know, you know), Planters Peanuts, Hiram Walker and many more. While in Oklahoma she was also able to reconnect with her husband’s family from Okmulgee and Hernyetta.
Edna enjoyed working beside her children and grandchildren, shopping (boy could Edna Mae shop), traveling and you all know, she never missed a Friday or Saturday night drawing at the casino. If you needed a pick-me-up, she would tell a tale that would keep a smile on your face, while comforting yet keeping it straight. She was the life of any party, the light in any darkness, and the sunshine on a cloudy day (especially on a cold winter’s day when she made a pot of gumbo or goulash).
She was loved and will continue to be loved by many.
Survivors are her daughters, Ellen Ash of Vian, Bernita Tucker of Vian, Jenyce Cardwell of Houston, Cassandra Tucker of Chicago, Renita Burley of Chicago, Dottie Stewart of Mesa, Ariz., Vera Montgomery of Indianapolis, Ind., and Sharon Brown of Russellville, Ark.; son, Charles Tucker of Chicago, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Lee Tucker, Sr.; parents, William and Ellen; children, Leonard, Junior, Albert, Jerry, Fred, Jacquline, Diana, Ricky, Barbara and Marion; and siblings, Fred, Frank, Andrew, James, Johnnie Mae, Claudia and Mary.
Funeral Services were at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church in Sallisaw, under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.
