Carolyn Tucker

Carolyn Tucker of Ft. Smith left this earth to meet her Heavenly Father on January 1st, 2021. She was born October 20th, 1930 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to her parents Vivian Norvel Crouch and Hal Lancelot Crouch and was their only child. Carolyn's grandfather owned the first Dodge dealership in Tulsa. She attended the independent Episcopal Holland Hall School. At the age of twelve the family moved to Laguna Beach, California where they built the Seacliff Motor Motel, one of the first in the area. They hosted several movie stars including Bette Davis, The Seacliff is still in operation today as the Seaside Laguna Inn. Carolyn attended business school and met Roger Melton Tucker. They married August 23, 1950. In 1956 they moved to Ft. Smith where Mr. Tucker built a convenience store. His partner was Bob Payne. In the process of naming the business they decided to use the first letter of their last names, thus creating the "Pic N Tote". To the delight of customers they were the first to serve "Icees." Mr Tucker passed away on March 14, 1981.

Carolyn is survived by two daughters; Terry Lynn Rothwell and her husband Benjamin of Heber Springs, and Tina Louise Tucker Kesner and her daughter Kelsey Leigh Kesner of Ft. Smith and son Mason Issac Tucker Kesner of Bentonville. Carolyn would want to include Nemo Britton with her family since he was always like a son to her. Her greatest joy was being "Grammie" to Kelsey and Mason. She loved her memories of times spent with them when they were kids. She always loved trains, even as a child, and one of her favorite memories was taking the kids on the Van Buren Excursion Train. She often talked of Mason picking her up for dinner out, as well as cheering Kelsey on in her various school events. Carolyn centered her life around her family and serving the Lord and others.

Family and friends remember Carolyn in many ways.....how she played the piano "by ear", how throughout her life she loved Jesus and hymns that praised Him, enjoying pastel colors, orange juice, knitting sweaters for her daughters' teachers, leaving cold cokes on the pavement for the city workers. Some of her favorite gifts to others were Christian name plaques consisting of the biblical name, the meaning of the name and a coordinating scripture (many of these still hang in her friends’ homes}, making sour cream coffee cakes to share with others, and remembering to write notes or send cards to encourage others. She had the gift of hospitality, often opening her home to host dinners, weddings, baby showers, family and church events. She was full of grace and class with a giving heart. She was a woman of prayer, a mighty prayer warrior, helping establish prayer rooms at Trinity Temple and the Life Christian Church. She was active in the II Chronicles 7:14 Ministries focusing on praying for the city of Ft. Smith.

Carolyn's family wishes to thank the administration and staff of the Chapel Ridge Nursing Home where she lived the last few years. Thank you for your loving care giving her comfort, meeting her needs and spiritual support. Her days there were full of joy and contentment. You are truly angels on earth. Everyone there knew she loved chocolate ice cream and Braum’s burger combo meals with a vanilla shake.

She "served the Lord with gladness" on earth and in Heaven, she "came before His presence with singing." (based on the scripture Psalm 100:2)

Please join her family in honoring her and celebrating her 90 years of life by continuing to give to others, showing kindness, and have a heart for Jesus as she did.

You are welcome to sign the online guestbook to share your memories of Carolyn, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.