Bessie Tucker

Bessie L. Tucker, 78, of Jackson passed away Monday, June 23, 2014, at her home.

She was born July 20, 1935, in Cape Girardeau, to Emory and Ethel Riehn Crites. She was a 1953 graduate of the former College High School in Cape Girardeau. She and Norman N. Tucker were married Sept. 6, 1953, in Cape Girardeau.

Bessie and Norman worked together several years in hotel and public storage management. She retired from the Jackson School District after working several years in the high school cafeteria. She played the mandoline, and she and Norman enjoyed singing at the Missouri Veterans Home and other local nursing homes. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Jackson Ward) in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include four children, Debbie (Rob) Sandstrom of Oceanside, California, Lorrie (Jim) Litzelfelner of Jackson, Sonny (Deseree) Tucker of Campo, California, and Terrie (Randy) Mouser of Jackson; a sister, Judy (John) McClard of Jackson; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Norman Crites.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until service time today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home, with Bishop Dennis Mouser officiating. A committal service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society or Relay for Life.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.