Reverend Dr. Sharron Frances Tucker, age 81, of Columbus, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on July 31, 2023. A called and ordained preacher of the Gospel – Dr. Tucker will be remembered as a servant of God, a champion of the marginalized, a lover of nature, and a woman hopelessly in love with her husband.
Sharron grew up in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and attended public schools. In 1960 the family moved to Columbus, Ohio, and united with Grace Baptist Church. Sharron attended San Diego State University, where she earned her B.A. for her undergraduate work. She taught in the Columbus City School District, worked for the United States Postal Service, and retired from Ameritech (AT&T), where she was a supervisor. She started a new career after retiring as a full-time student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Not only did she receive the Master of Theological Studies Degree from Trinity, but she also received The Gerhard H. Doermann Award, presented to the student who shows outstanding potential for and commitment to Church educational ministry. In addition, she received the James L. Shaff Memorial Award for Excellence in Church History.
Sharron met Phillip Tucker at the bowling alley, and this meeting bloomed into a wonderful relationship that led to marriage on November 21, 1975.
Rev. Sharron Tucker served as Director of Christian Education at Grace Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie H. Battle. After Pastor Battle was called to serve at another vineyard, Rev. Sharron F. Tucker served as Interim Pastor for one year. Later, she united with the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Charles E. Booth. At Mt. Olivet, she was an Associate Minister, taught Bible Study and Sunday School, and served as Minister of Missions and Outreach. Missions and Outreach included the Food Pantry, Hunger Outreach, F.R.I.E.N.D. Ministry and Bereavement Ministry. Rev. Tucker was frequently called on to provide Bible Study for The Ohio American Baptist Women’s Conference and served as a speaker for Church Women United. While at Mt. Olivet, Rev. Tucker returned to school at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, to pursue her doctoral degree in ministry.
Sharron was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She loved sewing and making her clothing. She also loved gardening, especially roses. She really enjoyed the mission trip to South Africa with Dr. Booth and other disciples of the congregation. Dr. Tucker credited her husband, Phillip, as the glue that kept things together while she pursued her education and continued the work the Lord had set her hands to do.
Sharron is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Blanche Hawkins; brother, Charles Gordon Hawkins; infantsister, Edith; nephew, Walter Anthony Gattis; and mother-in-law, Phyllis Tucker.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Phillip D. Tucker; sisters, Patricia (Walter) Gattis, Oakland, California, and Esther Hawkins, Columbus, Ohio; nephews, Wayne (Gladys) Hawkins, St. Louis, Missouri, and Jeffrey Tucker, Columbus, Ohio; nieces, Cheryl (William) Solomon and Brittany Smith, Columbus, Ohio and Kelly Goeppner, Oakland, California; special cousins, Sylvia Clayborn, Dayton, Ohio and Frank (Thelma) Jackson, St. Clairsville, Ohio; special friends, Karen Perkins, Linda Harris, Dr. William H. Curtis, and Dr. Willie H. Battle; a host of other relatives and many friends.
Visitation 10:00 AM and Celebration of Life 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 428 E. Main St.
Interment at Kingwood Memorial Park.
Sending heartfelt condolences and prayer to Mr Phillip Tucker and your entire family. Words cannot express the sorrow that our entire church is feeling on the loss of our dearest Dr. Sharron Tucker. I will truly miss her preaching, teaching, and her smile. I am thankful to have known her many years and will cherish her memory. Grace and Peace.
I believe I worked with Rev Dr Tucker if she did indeed work at OBT for a while As a supervisor, she displayed an energetic, compassionate spirit while dealing with the people in her section and the demands of providing good customer service. While I left OBT, it does not surprise me that she took her skills and spirit to her ministry. Please accept my condolences on her loss.
It is my prayer that God will comfort you and your whole family during this time of grief. May he richly bless you even as you mourn, and may the light of His presence be a continual source of consolation.
Phillip, my prayers are with you and the rest of the family. I shall miss our long conversations together and will miss running into her at JoAnn Fabric. I know that God does all things well and that His reasons are not ours. She was a person you could easily love and respect and I had the utmost respect for her, her teaching style and her friendship. May God continue to bless you as you take this journey. Know that you can call on me whenever needed.
Sending comfort to family and friends- knowing she made a difference in many lives.
When I was a member @ Mt. Olivet many years ago, Dr. Tucker was a wonderful person to get to know. She had a very warm spirit and a radiant smile. She will certainly be missed.
REST IN PEACE! DR. TUCKER! CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY! GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!
I knew Dr. Tucker many years ago at Ohio Bell. She was always energetic, enthusiastic and caring for those around her. When years later we came across each other’s paths because of the fellowship between the two churches where we were members ,Mt. Olivet and Triedstone, it was a wonderful surprise. My condolences and prayers are with her family
Brother Phillip: Your wonderful Sharron will certainly be missed: such a vibrant and sincere servant of God. My prayers are with you and know that her memories will always bless and keep you.
Dr Tucker was a wonderful friend full of love, compassion and wisdom. I will miss our long talks over lunch at Piada Restaurant. She loved flowers and gardening and I will have trees planted in her loving memory. Rest in Gods loving arms dear friend.
Take comfort in knowing that she is with the God she served and loved so much.
Rest in peace my dear friend! I remember the days and times we spent together through the years! You are truly missed.
God’s Garden: God looked around his garden And found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth, and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain. He knew you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb so he closed your weary eyelids and whispered “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you but you did not go alone … for part of us went with you the day God called you home
Mr. Tucker and the rest of Sharron’s family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I was deeply saddened to learn about Sharron’s death. I had the privilege of being a professor of hers at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and was pleased to be able to encourage her to engage in formal theological education.
May the comfort she gave to many others be yours during these days and weeks.
In the power of the resurrection,
Rev. Walter F. Taylor, Jr., Ph.D., Ernest W. and Edith S. Ogram Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies, Trinity Lutheran Seminary