Emma M. Rucker

Emma M. Rucker was born on November 27, 1924 to the late Josephine Harris and Homer Council, in Paris, Texas. She passed away peacefully at the age of 87, on September 10, 2012.

Her formative years were spent In Paris, Texas, where she graduated from Gibbons High School. She met and married Curtis Spencer, and to this union, a son was born. She relocated via Cincinnati, Ohio to Los Angeles, California, where she was employed by Broadway Stores for several years. Emma eventually remarried and relocated to Aurora, Colorado.

She was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. James D. Peters, until her health declined. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy Rucker. Survivors include her sister, Josie Nicholas of Los Angeles, California; her son Danny (Sandra) Spencer of Lemon Grove, California; Stepson Thomas (Connie) Rucker of Aurora, Colorado; Stepdaughter Kay Jackson of Dallas, Texas;Grandchildren: Damien (Dana) Spencer of Los Angeles, California; Michelle (Landon) Dean of Fontana, California; Patricia (Clifford) Colenburg of Denver, Colorado; Tanya Rucker of St. Louis, Missouri; Pamela Rucker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Paula Rucker, Robert Rucker, and Lola (Jerome) Martin all of Aurora, Colorado; several great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Footprints Poem:

One night I had a dream.

I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

In each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints

in the sand, one belonged to me,

and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the worst times in my life. This really bothered me and

I questioned the LORD about it.

“LORD, you said that once

I decided to follow you, you would

walk with me all the way. But I’ve noticed that

during times of trouble there is only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why, when I needed you most,

you would leave me.” The LORD replied,

“My precious, precious child, I love you and

I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

When you see only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you.”

Acknowledgements:

We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, thoughts, cards, and expressions of condolences during this difficult

time. Special thanks to Serenity House, The Care Navigator, Linda Theus-Lee and People's First Hospice.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me besides the still waters. He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Emma's ashes will be scattered at sea off the shores of La Jolla, California