Sandra Locke Best Tucker

Sandra Locke Best Tucker of Wynne passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Sandra was born in Memphis, TN, on February 19, 1936, to Ethyland Byrd Best and Robert Pierce Best. Sandra’s early years were spent in various parts of Arkansas. Her family moved to Wynne in 1943, and Sandra graduated from Wynne High School in 1953. After attending Hendrix College in Conway, AR, Sandra returned to Wynne and worked at CrossRidge Community Hospital (formerly Cross County Hospital), where she met the love of her life and future husband, J.T. Tucker. Sandra and J.T. married in January of 1957. As a military spouse, Sandra traveled and saw much of the world. She fondly recounted in later years the time she and her young family spent in Japan and in Georgia. When J.T. after retiring from active service in the U.S. Army, Sandra and her family moved to Atlanta, GA. In 1975, Sandra and her family moved back to Wynne, and she worked in the Wynne Public School system for nearly 20 years before retiring. Throughout the years, Sandra was active in Wynne Retired Teachers and Cross County Hospital Auxiliary. She was an avid supporter of the Cross County Library and volunteered for American Red Cross blood drives. Sandra enjoyed gardening, sewing and crafting projects, and collecting antique buttons and porcelain shoes. She also enjoyed attending lunches with 1953 classmates, Tuesday coffee group visits, bunco game nights with friends, and J.T.’s WWII Army – 70th Infantry Division Association reunion meetings. The chief highlight of her life was her family, and she so loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and relatives. A woman of deep religious faith, Sandra was a life-long member of Wynne Baptist Church, and she also enjoyed attending services at Ridgeview Baptist Church. Sandra is preceded in death by her parents, Ethyland and Robert Best, beloved husband, J.T. Tucker, and siblings, Edward Best and Kathryn Best. Sandra is survived by her five children: Tim Tucker, Robert Tucker (Lisa), Steve Tucker, Eddie Tucker, and Janet Tucker; sister, Jo Diebold; three grandchildren: Amy Tucker, Corrie Tucker, and Tim Tucker, Jr; Sharon Tucker, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. The family would like to thank the faithful caretakers and friends who were so devoted to Sandra in later years. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Kernodle Funeral Home from 12:00 pm until 2 pm. A celebration of life and resurrection service will follow at 2:00 pm with Rev. Robert Tucker and Rev. Carl Weatherford officiating. Burial will be at Cogbill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or To Ridgeview Baptist Church. Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com

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Sandra Locke Best Tucker

February 19, 1936 - July 21, 2024