Rev. Wallace Upton Tucker Jr., also known as Johnnie, Rev. Tucker, or Mr. T., was born December 17, 1918. He went to heaven on January 28, 2016 at 97 years old.
In his early adult years, he traveled the world with the Merchant Marines, delivering supplies to our troops in dangerous seas. He was also a machinist, ran a marina, and a gas station. He built a cabin cruiser, several runabouts, two hydroplanes, a moth boat, and a number of sunfish-type sailboats. He loved to sail!
In his thirties, he accepted Christ as his Savior and felt a call to the pastorate. After attending school in North Carolina, he was ordained at Ocean View Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Rev. Tucker served at Goodwill Baptist Church in Pocomoke City, Maryland; Harrowgate Baptist Church in Chester, Virginia; a circuit of churches in and around Emporia, Virginia; Hopewell Baptist Church in New Kent County, Virginia; and as interim pastor at Claybrook Baptist Church in Weems, Virginia. He built a church for Harrowgate Baptist Church and an educational wing/fellowship hall for Hopewell Baptist Church. He was known to be cantankerous, but many felt his great love and care for them. He has a number of adopted sons and daughters in the various churches, including his caretaker, Ms. Virginia Webb, from Harrowgate Baptist Church, who allowed him to stay at home until his last day on earth.
His wife, Vivian Elizabeth Haynie Tucker, passed away, almost two years ago, just shy of their 70th year of marriage. He has a surviving son, Richard Warren (wife, Michele), and a son, John Wallace, who died at 6 months of age. He has two grandsons, Steven Brodie (Laura) and David Matthew (Jordan).
A funeral service was held at Currie Funeral Home on Saturday, January 30, 2016, and a burial service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, VA on Sunday, January 31, 2016. We want to thank all of the family and friends who attended. You were a comfort to us.