Cecile Mawyer Rucker

Born on May 21, 1936, in Albemarle County, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Leighton M. Mawyer and Evelyn P. Mawyer. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, William W. Rucker, and four siblings, Ralph Mawyer, Clyde Mawyer Sr., Kay Mawyer, and Hazel Mawyer.

Cecile was born in the back of an ambulance and her father, a railroad man, often remarked that this was why she was always riding the rails after him. She held many roles in life- her favorite of which was loving wife to Willie Rucker for 63 years. Together they built their longest-lived home in the mountains of Amherst County, close to his parents and brothers. They filled that home with the love they shared for generations of nieces and nephews, countless fur babies, and nature. They could often be found on their porch overlooking the mountains with bird-watching paraphernalia or taking walks with beloved dogs. She worked for the telephone company for many years as an operator- a perfect fit for someone with her love of communication and helping people.

Along with a love of nature and family, two of Cecile’s greatest passions were reading and music. Whether it was attending Ricky Van Shelton concerts, dancing to Elvis, or singing bluegrass along with Dailey and Vincent, music was never far away when she was present. Her love of books took many forms: everything from genealogy books to nature manuals to romance novels; she loved connecting with people and places through the written word. This included keeping detailed annals on family history. Her journals recorded the everyday lives of those she loved: births, deaths, graduations, marriages, divorces, surgeries, and the countless car trades of the Rucker men in her life. After Willie’s passing, there was little she loved more than re-reading the details of their lives which she had painstakingly recorded over the years.

She is survived by one sister, Loraine Mawyer; one sister-in-law, Darrelle Wheeler Mawyer, two brothers-in-law, Lawrence Rucker (Janice) and Raymond Rucker (Mary), five nieces, Cynthia Rucker-Staton Shelor (Bill), Sona Rucker Bartley, Cindy Tyree, Deborah Styles Davis, and Dana Styles; six nephews, Clyde Mawyer Jr. (Susan), Gary Mawyer (Karen), Alan Mawyer, Bryan Mawyer, Bobby Staton, and Kevin Styles; as well as a host of great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank George and Penny Tyree and their family for “adopting” both William, Cecile, and their cat Willis into their family. Their genuine love and concern will always be deeply appreciated and fondly remembered.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Whitten Monelison Chapel, with Rev. Clyde Mawyer Jr. officiating.