HARTFORD, Ky. — Betty Jean Rucker, 90, of Hartford, departed this life on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at her residence. She was born on July 23, 1934, in Eminence, Kentucky, to the late William and Leona Lawson.
Betty attended Owensboro’s Western High School and served faithfully as a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church for several years in her younger days. In recent years she attended and supported Pleasant Point Missionary Baptist Church, Utica, Kentucky, as a faithful member, church clerk, church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and choir member.
Additionally, she served 20 dedicated years on the board of directors at Audubon Area Community Services, served six dedicated years on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Ohio County, Inc., gave five years of dedicated service at The Ohio County Literacy Coalition, Inc., served as state auxiliary president, state auxiliary leader and emeritus member of the Kentucky Hospital Association, received a certificate of merit for Leadership Ohio County, worked at Owensboro Parks and Recreation as a Receptionist, volunteered at Ohio County Health Care, volunteered at the voting polls, and many other service capacities.
She was an amazing and outspoken woman who loved to cook and give out warm embracing hugs. She was loving and always on the go. She is very much loved and will be missed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett Rucker, of Hartford, and granddaughter, Tabitha Leak-Hackner, of Owensboro, Kentucky.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Lovelen Irene Leak, of Owensboro; two grandchildren, April Leak Olinger, of Owensboro, and Demetris Leak, of Evansville, Indiana; four great-grandchildren, LaTosha (Tyler) Simms, of Central City, Kentucky, Key’Choina Meriwether, My’Kel Smith, of Owensboro, and Sheldon Clay, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and three great-great-grandchildren, Key’Oliss-Major Meyer, Dia’Ryan Thruston, and Messiah Aubrey, of Owensboro; and a brother, stepchildren, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Also, she will forever be remembered by her dearest best friend, Betty J. McCreary, and family.
Funeral services to honor the life of Betty Jean Rucker will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Pleasant Point Missionary Baptist Church, 3723 State Route 764, Utica, KY 42376 with Pastor Rhondalyn Randolph officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. of the service at the church. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.
Please leave memories and messages of condolence for the family at www.mcfarlandfh.com.
Care by McFarland Funeral Home, Inc. of Owensboro, Kentucky.