Obituary: Joseph Lee Tucker

Joseph Lee Tucker, age 69, a resident of Clinton, went home to his Heavenly Father, Saturday, November 22, 2014, surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren.

Joseph was born March 15, 1945, to the late Roman and Doretha Tucker in Tampa, Florida. He was a lifelong resident of Clinton.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a coal miner for 25 years, working primarily at Devonia Coal on New River.

He was a United States Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam War. While in service to our country, he received several medals, ribbons, citations, and commendations. His most important work on Earth was being vice president of Legacy Peer Group Service, Vet to Vet, in Tennessee.

He was also a faithful Christian and a member of the Redemption Church in Knoxville.

Joseph loved his hometown of Tampa, Florida, and he wished to return to the Sunshine State to live out the remainder of his life and spend his time fishing.
Most of all he loved his family, and he always worked, sacrificing himself to give to them and others. He got great joy from his precious grandchildren. He will truly be missed by all who loved him.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by two brothers, Lamar and Ronald Tucker; by two sisters, Beverly Hudson and Marie Nunley; brothers-in-law, Earl, Burl, Elmer, and Arvil Phillips; and by a sister-in-law, Betty Phillips.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Helen (Phillips) Tucker of Clinton; step-father, Charles Young of Gainesville, Florida; daughters, Michelle (Tucker) White and Kristy (Pond) Mashburn; one son, Joshua Tucker; six grandchildren, Jacob Pond, Tiffany White, Zachary Pond, Jayden White, J.C. “Joseph” Mashburn, and Devon White, all of Clinton; one brother, Donnie and Juanita Tucker of Bartow, Florida; two sisters, Betty and Donna Tucker of Panacea, Florida; sister-in-laws, Pearl Phillips, Bertha Phillips, Mary Phillips, and Mary Jo Phillips; and a brother-in-law, Pastor Murl Phillips, all of Clinton. He was blessed with many nieces and nephews including a special niece, Karen Dupes of Vonore, Tennessee, and a loving extended family.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 25, 2014, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial and graveside services with full military honors will be held Saturday, November 29, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

The family expresses their gratitude to the Legacy Peer Support Group for all the help during the illness of Mr. Tucker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Legacy Peer Support Group.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Tucker family, and you can leave a message and/or condolences at www.sharpfh.com.