Helen Marie Rucker, age 91, passed away July 15, 2021 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

She was born July 8, 1930 in Geiger, Alabama, daughter of the late Roosevelt Byrd and Marie Andrews Byrd.

Helen was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and had worked for Missouri Delta Medical Center for over 30 years before retiring.

She was married to Norman Rucker, he preceded her in death in 1982.

Survivors include four sons, Wade (Illeasher) Rucker of Sikeston, General (Sandra) Rucker of Houston, Texas, Gregory (Emma) Rucker of Radcliff, Kentucky, Stanley (Fakia) Rucker of Kansas City, Missouri; four daughters, Sonia Rucker of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Evelyn Rucker of Westland, Michigan, and Brenda Rucker of Sikeston; two sisters, Myrs Dixon of Detroit, Michigan and Hattie L. Hooper of Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren, Braiden Rucker, Nicole Logan, Terri Rucker, Iman Rucker, Kyle Moon, and Kaitlin Marie Rucker; and two great-grandchildren, Omariyon Gardner and Leilani Smith.

In addition to her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by one son, Christopher Rucker; one daughter, Norma Jean Rucker; three brothers, Curtis Byrd, Stillie L. Byrd, and Norman Byrd; and two sisters, Rebecca Brent and Dora Foster.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 23, from 11:30 a.m. until time of funeral services at 12:00 noon at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Pastor Benjamin and Rose Porter will officiate.

Burial will follow at the Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Joe Warfield, Larry Baker, Michael White, Kyle Moon, Braiden Rucker, and Lorenzo Ware.