Julia Steed Tucker

Julia Steed Tucker passed away peacefully in her apartment in Houston, TX on May 7, 2026. Julia, or “Juju” as she is affectionately called by her grandkids, was born in Sherman, TX on November 13, 1939.

Juju’s completion of her life on earth echoes the words of St. Paul: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NRSV-CI).

Julia passed away eager to see beloved family members and friends who predeceased her, including her father, Raymond Steed, Sr. who died in WWII, and her mother, Inez Thompson Steed Summers and step-father Judge James W. Summers, as well as her in-laws Royce and Bonnie Tucker. She longed to see her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends she’s lost through the years. But most of all, after being widowed for 49 years, she was ready to see Charles E. Tucker, her middle school sweetheart and husband of almost 14 years who passed away in 1977. While the Lord taught in the Gospels that there is no marriage in heaven, Julia was certainly ready to see Charles again and tease him for not keeping his part of the bargain to raise the kids when they hit the teenage years! She so desired to see her companion again. They shared a “love fondled by eternity,” as inscribed on Charles’ wedding band.

Julia never remarried after Charles’ death, but instead turned her attention to working while raising her four children and cherishing her grandchildren: William “Bill” Tucker (wife Tighe; children John “Jack” Tucker and fiancée Leigh Dougal; Meridy Tucker); Timothy “Tim” Tucker (wife Karrie; children Lillian Tucker and Charles Tucker); Diana Chenoweth (husband Lee; children Julia Elaine “Lainey” and husband Will Arend; Tucker Chenoweth); and Britt Tucker (wife Jonelle; children Daniel and wife Jacey Tucker; Audrey Tucker). Juju was always quick to love, laugh, encourage, play cards and sing alongside her family. She loved parties so much that she created one for the grandkids, hosting a week long Camp Juju annually at her house when they were young. And through it all, whenever you needed to find her in the morning, she was kneeling beside the couch in the living room praying and reading her Bible to begin her day.

Julia treasured her family still living, including brother, Raymond “Budge” Steed, Jr., his wife Chris, and their children Samuel, “Sam,” and Anna. She fondly talked of her cousins Jimmy Thompson and Glenn Brookshear as well as her late cousins Richard Thompson, Don Thompson and Robert Brookshear. She also loved Charles’ cousins, Dorothy Williams and her late husband Vick and their children Jeannie Williams and Sarah Heilbronner.

Over the course of her life, Julia moved…a lot. The thing about Juju, though, is that she made dear friends wherever she went: from Sherman to Dallas in her childhood; to Texas Tech and the University of Texas for college; to teaching in Dallas and Houston in her married years, as well as in Austin while raising her kids; to Birmingham, AL and Hanceville, AL to serve as Director of Pilgrimages for EWTN and Our Lady of the Angels Monastery; to returning to Texas to care for her mother in Rusk and Brenham; to Houston to be close to family; to Rusk, Pittsburg, and Winnsboro, serving in Catholic churches in East Texas; and finally back to Houston to finish her race near family. She loved adventure and travel, but wherever she lived or went, she always found ways to serve the Church, love people well, and give generously of her time, talents and treasures to show people how much she loved them and to help them experience God’s love through her service.

In most of her yards, Julia would plant roses, a hobby she developed with her dear friend, Carolyn Huffman. Her passion for gardening fit a soul that was so adept at nurturing others. In addition, she always found a way to be creative, whether through needlepoint or incorporating music into her life, especially playing piano and organ for mass. Throughout her life, Juju never met a stranger and was always willing to talk, pray or share her wisdom with anyone who wanted to visit.

Impact in this life is an interesting thing. It’s not always reserved for the famous and powerful. Sometimes it comes in the form of a 5’ 2” widow, usually wearing a Mexican dress, who loves a good hug and a back scratch. For those of us who encountered Juju’s joy, kindness, friendship, faith, wisdom, love, and laughter, we will never be the same. At the core of it all, was her deep, deep love for Jesus, our Savior.

In her own words: “Looking back over my life, I am so struck at how good our Lord has been to me. How He has woven a tapestry of the different events of my life and how they have all led me closer to Him. The different colors are all the family and friends who have loved me and helped me on the way. He brings us such joy that nothing on earth can compare to it. His faithfulness and mercy to us is beyond comprehension in a secular world that has forgotten Him. Be strong in your faith, stay close to the Scriptures and to Jesus. Your life will have meaning and bear good fruit and one day, God willing, we will live with Him for all Eternity in Heaven.”

Amen, Mom! Rest in peace at the table of the Lord. May we carry on your legacy of love, joy, kindness, faith and friendship as we remember and celebrate your life.

And, as you always said to us at the end of a phone call, “Talk at ya later!”

Please join us as we honor Julia’s life and legacy on Monday, May 18, 2026 with a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Graveside service will follow at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026 with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m.

Gifts in Julia’s memory may be made to EWTN online at

https://ewtnmission.com/donation/love-and-understanding/