Mary Leigh Tucker

It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Leigh Tucker announces her passing on Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at the age of 92. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Born on February 11,1934 in Richmond, Virgina, Mary was a graduate of Thomas Dale High School where she excelled in basketball and starred in the high school play.

Mary had a successful career in furniture sales and won an award for top furniture salesperson for the company at Miller and Rhodes. She was also responsible for staging the store’s furniture. The Miller and Rhodes downtown, where she worked, would hold fashion shows on occasion and Mary was asked to be a model for those shows which was something she enjoyed.

Mary had a gift for making anything beautiful and she was very creative and crafty. She would make the most gorgeous wreaths for the front door and bows to put on the lamppost. More recently, she would color pictures through an app on her iPad.

Mary was always young at heart and could relate to people of all ages often going out with her children and their friends since she fit in so well. Her love of music spanned decades. Some of her favorite artists included Elvis, Tom Petty, and the Foo Fighters.

‘Sweety’, the nickname given by her beloved husband of 58 years, had a passion for the beach and they loved to go to Nags Head together for long weekends to relax and watch the waves and seagulls. They also enjoyed going to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, but most of all spending time with family.

Mary was dedicated to her family and would do special things to show she cared like randomly making bunny pancakes for the kids and cupcakes and brownies for the grandkids. She loved animals and took in strays and adopted several rescues over the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Margaret Hinman, and her beloved husband Willie J Tucker.

She is survived by her three children Margaret Tucker, Walter Tucker (Carolyn) and Mary Wooten (Bill); three grandchildren, Scott Tucker (Jess), Eric Tucker, and Evan Tucker (Becky), and five great grandchildren; Colton, Levi, Harrison, Ash, and Nora.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family of Mrs. Tucker would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the phenomenal care provided by Dr. Sidney Jones and his staff, Suncrest Hospice, and Hanover Manor.

In lieu of flowers, family suggest memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org.