Wanda M Rucker

Wanda Rucker, 85, passed away Monday, November 11, 2013, in Abilene. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 15, 2013 in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery. A Memorial Service will follow on Friday at 11:00 a.m., at Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:30p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Wanda was born on January 7, 1928 in Megargle, TX to the late Arthur and Lena Bernice Northcott Partain. She graduated from Newman High School in Sweetwater, TX in 1945 and then attended McMurry University in Abilene.

Wanda loved her vegetable and flower gardens and loved to cook for her family. She successfully raised five children at great personal sacrifice. After her kids were raised, she continued her loving service through the church. She was a long-time member of Fairmont United Methodist Church until it burned and relocated as the Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church. She was an active leader and lifetime member of the United Methodist Women as well as holding numerous leadership positions in the church over the years. She spearheaded the tape ministry for years, was a part of the prayer chain, and helped organize numerous meals for bereaved families.

She worked over 20 years as an Assistant Office Administrator for Transamerican Financial Services in addition to being a homemaker.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother, Robert Partain; and a grandson, Johnathan Shaw Rucker.

Survivors include her four sons, David R. Rucker (twin) and wife, Camille of Bridgeport, TX, Paul Rucker and wife, Jackie of Sommerville, TX, Larry Rucker and wife, Leslie of Houston, and Randy Rucker and wife, Linda of Houston; a daughter, Ann Rucker Laver (twin) and husband, Gary of Venezuela; grandchildren, Peter Rucker of Bryan, TX, Dinah Rucker of Houston, Jed Laver and wife, Tonia of Dallas, Tad Laver and wife, Brittany of Copperas Cove, TX, Mark Laver of Austin, Jessica Shaw of Austin, Ryan Rucker and fiancée Michelle McCaskill of Sommerville, and Benjamin, Michelle, Rachel, and Luke Rucker all of Houston; five great-grandchildren: Sophia, Katherine, and Michael Laver, Tyler Marth-Rucker, and Austen Marth-Resendez.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Wanda’s name to the Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, 3025 Southwest Drive, Abilene, TX 79605.