Edna Louise Tucker

Edna Louise Tucker, 88, of Independence, MO, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. A visitation will be held from 2-3pm on Sunday, March 17th with a funeral service following at 3pm, both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E 39th St.; Independence, MO 64055. Interment will take place at 12pm on Monday, March 18th at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence.

Edna attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA and it was there, in the fall of 1954, that she met Kenneth Tucker. They began playing catch with an apple in the laundromat and at that moment he knew she was the one. They were married on August 24, 1957.

Raised in Bremen, OH on a 90-acre farm, she learned to sing while milking the cows. She won the respect and love of her fellow Eden Heights Church members after joining the church around 1960 and began planning and preparing events such as turkey dinners, taco dinners, sweetheart banquets, trips to Navoo, float trips, and others. She also served as a women's leader, choir director, girls youth leader, and sang multiple times in the production of Handel’s Messiah.

She enjoyed playing volleyball and taught herself to play the piano. Above all else, Edna had a deep love for her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her so much joy. Edna will be missed by so many that knew and loved her.

Edna is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth; her daughters, Jodi (Jerry) Wynn and Kimberly Miller (Kent Morris); grandchildren, Nicole (Brad) Darby, Dana (Ashley) Blum, Sean (Kim) Gaulter, Jonathan (Toni) Miller, Jeremy Miller; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Joan Wade and Joseph Smith; as well as several nieces and nephews and cousins. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward L. and Elizabeth Smith; brother, Richard Smith and twin brother, Edward Smith. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.