Robert Earl Rucker

Robert Earl Rucker, 86, was born on July 13, 1931 in Morristown to Isaac and Ethel Rucker. He departed this life on March 3, 2018 at Tennova Medical Center Turkey Creek Hospital. Earl was a loving husband and father. He was a faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, trustee and choir member. He was always there for anything that the Church needed, including driving the Church van. After more than thirty years of service, he retired from BASF. He was also the owner and operator of Bob’s Cleaning Service. Many knew him from his community service, and he was always willing to help whenever he was needed. He was an avid gardener and took pride in maintaining his manicured lawn while appreciating God’s creation. He was truly a hard worker, a family man and a devoted friend. “Cousin Earl” “Pops” and “Papaw” as he was affectionately called was a true example of letting your life speak for itself. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers James Edward, Charles and Roy Rucker. He was married to Christine Rucker and they were blessed with two daughters. He later married Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Cheatham. They enjoyed a wonderful loving marriage of 23 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife; daughters Linda Rogers of Sumter, South Carolina and Connie O’vercum, of Morristown; son Stanford (Mary) Treece of Kingsport; brother Curtis (Dorothy) Rucker; sisters Helen Buis, Linnie Jackson and Barbara Treece all of Morristown; sisters-in-law Annie Lamb and Margaret Bell of Seattle, Washington, Bonnie Cheatham of Fort Worth, Texas, Margaret Rucker, Mary Ruth Rucker and Jerri Rucker of Morristown. Dorothy Coone and Charity Ray of Mars Hill, North Carolina; ten grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 8th at Mount Olive Baptist Church, with Funeral services to follow. Elder Ventrus Norfolk will officiate. Burial will follow the service in Hamblen Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 316 Pope Rd., Morristown.