Mrs. Petronia Beatrice Tucker

Petronia Tucker, affectionately known to her family and friends as ‘Pete’, Aunt ‘Pete’, Mom and Grandma, was born on October 18, 1933 in Milledgeville, GA. She was the 7th child of Richard P. Slater, Sr. and Essie M. (Edwards) Slater, who owned and operated Slater Funeral Home in Milledgeville. Pete attended elementary and high school in Milledgeville, graduating in 1951 from George Washington Carver High School. She later studied Home Economics at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, before moving to Evanston, Illinois in 1956. Pete’s early life was marked by tragedy in the loss of her first husband, Major Hammell, Jr. After moving to Peoria, Illinois and marrying Andrew Tucker, Jr., Pete launched a career as a Site Coordinator with the Peoria Community Action Agency’s Chapter of Head Start. In this role, she was able to fulfill her passion for providing a true ‘head start’ for underprivileged children, through early childhood development and parental guidance. She nurtured countless close relationships with her ‘children’, their parents and her colleagues over the years, with many remaining dear to her to the very end. Despite her challenging workload at Head Start, Pete always managed to find time for one of her other passions, word games and crossword puzzles! Pete is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Andrew W. Tucker, Jr. of Lewistown, IL; three children, Angela Walker (Roland) of Peoria, IL; Major Hammell, III (Carol) of Marietta, GA; and Andrew Tucker, III of Peoria, IL. She has one granddaughter, Courtney Hammell of whom she was exceptionally proud, of Indianapolis, IN; two sisters, Florence S. Johnson of Pleasant Valley, NY; and Mamie Rubye Harmon (Abelard) of Evanston, IL; and one sister-in-law, Bertha H. Slater of Milledgeville, GA. She was predeceased by her parents and her first husband; brothers, Richard, Alonzo and Frank; and sisters, Harriett and Margaret. Pete also leaves a host of nieces and nephews to mourn her irreparable loss, several staking the claim they were her favorite…based largely on the very special relationships she nurtured with each; and many very special friends and extended family members. She will be greatly missed, but we remain thankful that she touched our lives with the gift of her love! Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 4, 2013 at Simons Mortuary with a visitation one hour prior beginning at 10 am. Rev. Francis Kenon, Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist, Church will officiate. Pete will be laid to rest at Salem-Wilcoxen Cemetery off Route 78 to County Highway 4 in Liverpool Township in Rural Lewistown, IL. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at simonsmortuary.com.

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Mrs. Petronia Beatrice Tucker

October 18, 1933 - October 25, 2013