Nellie Marie Tucker passed to her rest on January 5, 2023 in Eureka, at the age of 95. She was a long-time resident of Arcata, where she had lived with her late husband, Joseph Henry Tucker, Sr., with whom she raised a family of six children for 56 years of marriage.

Nellie was born on October 11, 1927, in Laverne, Oklahoma, but had been raised in Ontario, California, where her family moved when she was four years old. Early on, she learned to contribute to the family of eight children and developed a strong work ethic that carried her throughout life. Right up to within three weeks of her death, Nellie could be found indulging in her passions of quilting, sewing, embroidering, doing word searches, and caring for her plants and herself in her own home.

Nellie lived a busy, full life: raising her children as a stay-at-home mom in the suburbs of the 1950s and 1960s; keeping up with the extended family, both hers and Joe’s; moving the family to Redwood Country and eventually working as a nursing home aide and CNA. She was a caring friend, compassionate caregiver, and loving mother.

For the last 20 years of her life she terribly missed her husband, Joe, a lifelong truck driver whom she had loyally supported. Together they had loved to go on road trips seeing the country and visiting family and friends. Being a part of the “Talk to America” Truckers Convoy of 1977 was one of many highlights in their lives.

Nellie was a long-time member of the Arcata-McKinleyville Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she was involved with many activities and greatly loved by the members. She had also given much time and energy to the Arcata Senior Center, where she was proud to be a member of Katie’s Krafters, making quilts for local resident care homes.

Nellie will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, her generosity, her genuine love for people, her ability to laugh at herself, and her love and loyalty for family.

Nellie is survived by her son Joe Tucker Jr. and Ann of Hartselle, AL; four daughters: Susan Hansen and Alan of Madera, CA; Mary Earhart and Blake of Eureka, CA; Connie Reynolds and Edwin of Collegedale, TN; and Barbara Marinand Gary of Arcata, CA. She adored her grandchildren Michelle (Greg), Michael (Jana), Jeana, Donald (Brooke), Beth (Jeremy) , David (Tiffany), and Brandon; and enjoyed the great-grandchildren Wesley (Taylor), Luke, Case, Austin, David, Dennis, Joseph, Jocelyn, Emily, Amber, and Joey. Nellie will also be missed by her surviving sisters Pauline Righetti of St. George, UT, and Elsie Remke of Fresno, CA, and numerous nieces and nephews spread throughout the States. Nellie’s husband Joe Tucker, son Richard Tucker, and grandson Michael Alan Hansen have predeceased her.

Nellie now rests at the Oceanview Cemetery in Eureka with her husband, Joe, both of them waiting to arise on the resurrection morning.