Donald Webb Tucker's Obituary
Donald Webb Tucker went to meet his Heavenly Maker on December 26, 2025 at the age of 93. He was born November 17, 1932 in Albemarle, NC and pre-deceased by his parents, John William Tucker and Ada Hudson Tucker. He is also pre-deceased by his brother, Hubert Tucker, and sister, Elizabeth Watson. He leaves his beloved wife Sybil, his son, John William Tucker II (Laurie) of Eads and daughter, Mary Lynn Davis (Jeff) of Nashville, along with grandchildren Katy Helms (Luke) of Collierville, TN, Will Tucker (Shelby) of Eads, TN, Ellie Davis of Chicago, IL, and Stephanie Davis of Birmingham, MI, and four great-grandchildren.
A graduate of Davidson College, he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Donald lived his passion teaching foreign languages and humanities at Rhodes College for over 50 years. He enjoyed engaging with his students and inspiring them to love language. He and Sybil led dozens of groups of students in cultural emersion to Mexico, Spain and Italy while helping those students hone their skills in the respective languages. He loved playing the trumpet and singing in the Christ Methodist Church choir for many years where he also taught Sunday School. He taught his children lifetime athletic passions: golf with John, and running with Mary Lynn. He loved reading challenging literature of all sorts, division III football, classical music, cars both new and old, and talking with just about anyone. He undoubtedly left a positive impression on many inquisitive minds. He, along with Sybil, served his Lord with grace and kindness in and out of the classroom always being hospitable to international travelers needing a warm meal and homestay. He modeled the ideal for marriage, inspired others intellectually and most importantly, loved his Lord and Savior.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 in Wilson Chapel at Christ Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with visitation preceding it at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to MIFA, Rhodes College, or Christ Methodist Church Missions.
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