Francine Edwards Tucker

How does one pen an obituary for a life that has been so much to so many for so long? It is fully and only through Holy Spirit encryption... Mother defined all of us (her children) and ensured that we were each anchored in the Lord. Her spirit continues to guide us even now in our full adult lives as we keep her advice that "God will make a way" always ....ever top of mind. Her birth was a blessing to Ella Norris Edwards and Dennis Drisso Edwards on December 25, 1928. We shall forever mourn the loss of her from this place as her Savior (our Savior) has led her safely to the blessed Promised Land and ushered her into God's presence. 'Oh to see Him face to face.' Her transition occurred July 4, 2018. Francine grew up in Ravenel (Charleston), South Carolina. She received her early education in Charleston and Beaufort Schools. She was educated on many levels with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from her beloved Fort Valley State University and a Master of Education from Mercer University (Macon). Francine was employed as a teacher with the Bibb County School District, (Macon) where she taught at Minnie Burghard Elementary School. She retired in 1994. Then, returned to serve as an Early Intervention Teacher for additional years until the age of 83. Francine trusted and never doubted. Her personal testimony... On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand!! Francine accepted the Lord at an early age. After marriage she affiliated with the Methodist Church. Upon moving to Macon in 1966, the family joined Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) where she served faithfully as a Sunday School Teacher, Usher, and member of the Hattie Mitchell Women’s Missionary Society. Upon moving to Gwinnett County, she joined Berean Christian Church Gwinnett with daughter Phil, where she served with the Greeter’s Ministry. She later joined Suwanee Parrish United Methodist Church with daughters Sonja and Samela and then New Bethel AME Church with Sonja and Samela where she attended until an untimely illness and was no longer able to attend. She married the love of her life Samuel Tucker who preceeded her in death in 1985. From this union three beautiful girls were born, lovingly known as “The Tucker Girls.” She was preceeded in death by her parents Dennis Drisso Edwards and Ella Norris Edwards Ferguson, five brothers, three brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law. Left to cherish her memory, her three daughters, Sonja Denise (Kenneth) Cooke, Philippi LaFrance’ (Ganiyu) Lawal Sr., and Samela Francine (Lenzy) Reid; Grandchildren, Brandi (Samuel) Dupervil, Kenneth Cooke II, Chelsea Cooke, Ganiyu Lawal Jr., Khalil Lawal, Khalilah Lawal, Lauren Reid, Alexander Reid, and Zachary-Eugene Reid, five great grandchildren, her sisters in law Margaret Tucker Pryor of Fairfield California, Inez Tucker Wright and Madeline Tucker of Summerville, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members who loved her dearly. Homegoing services for Ms. Francine Edwards Tucker of Lawrenceville, GA will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at New Bethel AME Church 8350 Rockbridge Rd SW Lithonia, GA 30058. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home GWINNETT Chapel (770) 338-5558.

Tributes

Francine Edwards Tucker

December 25, 1928 - July 4, 2018