Rev. Paula Tucker

Services for Rev. Paula Elaine Tucker, 70, of Ada are 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Ada First United Methodist Church, Revs. Bruce Davis, Paul McDowell and Rev. Dr. Greg Tener will officiate. Burial will follow at McGee Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Paula passed away Monday, December 31, 2018 at a Shawnee hospital. She was born December 21, 1948 at Ada, OK to Paul and Alene Booth Tucker. She attended grade school at Parish Chapel and graduated from Vanoss High School. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Home Economics from Oklahoma State University; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from East Central University; and a Master's Degree in Administration from East Central University.

Paula worked for Big 5 Headstart for over thirty years as a teacher and later as an Early Childhood Specialist. Before going to work for Big 5, she was a teacher for Boswell Public Schools and Homer Elementary for many years.

Paula truly loved education and children. Her love of reading helped drive her to start a reading program for Big 5 with a reading banquet.

Later in life, Paula's love of God and desire to help others, led her to become a pastor with the Methodist Church. She pastored churches in Colbert, Shidler, Grainola and Foraker.

Paula was known for organizing a variety of events and most of them were always with kids and family. The Tucker in her shined through with her cooking. Paula was known for cooking on Sundays. Her niece, Rindy says she knew to be at Paula's on Sunday for apple cobbler.

Survivors include her daughter, Nakia Rhodes and husband Gary of Ada; her son, Chad Tucker and wife April of Kingston; sister, Tonya Willoughby of Ada; her grandchildren, ShiAnn, Brad, Colton and Piper Tucker of Kingston and Kya Rhodes of Ada; her niece, Rindy Bacon and husband Ernie of Ada; two great-nieces, Candi Bacon and her children, Trip and Cohen and Jessica Bacon and her children, Canyon, Corbin and Kinley; her uncle, B. J. Robertson, Ada; and a special friend, Jennifer Brackett of Durant.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Alene Tucker; infant son, Bradley Paul; grandparents, Lee and Ollie Tucker and M. E. and Dorchie Booth; an aunt, Colene Robertson; uncle and aunt, M. R. and Joy Tucker; and brother-in-law, Paul Willoughby.

Bearers will be Ernie Bacon, Kent Watson, Larry Fox, Jupie Booth, Johnny Booth and Chad Inman. Honorary bearers will be Jim Stiles, George Love, Robert Prather, Mike Gray, Jeff Alexander, Travis Simmons, Stacy Robertson, Phil Norris, John Thomas, Dr. Humberto Quintero, Dr. Karina Jandeciszak, Brad Tucker and Colton Tucker.