Doris Jean Tucker passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by the love of her family, on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Doris was born on September 6, 1934, in Oak Hill (Fayette County), West Virginia, to Hubert Dewey Treadway and Alma Canterbury Treadway.
Born just before World War II began, Doris was the daughter of a coal miner, who died when she was only 2 years old due to an accident in the coal mines. Her mother couldn’t find work in West Virginia, so they moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, when Doris was 5 to live with an aunt and find work. She attended Ft. Lauderdale School from grades 1 through 12, where she was a member of the school chorus, ran on the track team and was a spelling bee champion. This is where she met some of her lifelong friends with whom she still remained close.
Doris met the love of her life, her husband, James Everett Tucker, at the age of 15 at a square dance in Oakland Park, Florida. She took one look into his beautiful blue eyes, and it was love at first sight. The two soon married and started a family before James was drafted into the U.S. Army. They moved to North Carolina so James could complete his basic training, and when James was deployed to Korea, Doris and their firstborn child moved back to Ft. Lauderdale with her mother.
In 1953, when James got out of the army, the couple purchased their first home in Ft. Lauderdale. James began his business as a general painting contractor and Doris, a homemaker. The couple bore five more children, all girls. In 1965, they moved to Plantation, Florida, where Doris was very involved in their daughters’ many activities, holding roles including Girl Scouts leader, room mother and softball coach. She was also a GAs leader and taught Sunday school at Plantation Baptist Church, where they were members, and volunteered with Vacation Bible School for over 50 years.
In 1960, Doris joined the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, where she was actively involved, serving as secretary for two years. She was named Sweetheart of the Year in 1963. Through Beta Sigma Phi, Doris volunteered at the Pediatric Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale.
In 1974, the family moved back to James’ roots of Bulloch County, Georgia, where they farmed for 18 years. Doris was a true farmer’s wife, often operating the farm equipment and pulling peanut trailers to town after harvesting. She and James enjoyed their summer garden and putting up vegetables together. Doris loved being a farmer’s wife, living in the country on their farm.
Doris and James enjoyed going on summer vacations with their daughters, traveling in their motor home to many different places. The family also spent many weekends camping and fishing at Lake Okeechobee in Florida. In their retirement years, the couple enjoyed traveling to their second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Franklin, North Carolina. Doris loved the mountains!
She also loved her grandchildren passionately and always spent quality time and special moments with them. She was always there, no matter what!
Doris was a faithful Christian, saved and baptized at the age of 11. She was a current member of Excelsior Baptist Church, where she sang praises from her heart in the church choir. Singing for the Lord was one of her greatest passions. She enjoyed listening to Christian music as well.
Doris was in the adult Sunday school class, was a member of WMU and served on various committees in the church. She taught her children and grandchildren that the most important thing they could ever accomplish in life was to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Eternal Savior. She taught and showed her family how to love, forgive and pray without ceasing.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Sharon Lynn Tucker Pierce and Susan Darlene Tucker Holland; and her only sibling, John McLeod.
She is survived by her loving husband of 75 years and their four daughters and sons-in-law. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Daughters: Janis Hope, Debbie (Al) Smith, Julie (Kelly) Williams and Tracey (Jeff) Vickery.
Grandchildren: Shannon Graham, Courtney Worthington, Jessica Pierce, Emily Pierce, Jamey Holland, Britney Fountain, Matthew Hill, Taylor Hill, Chelsea Williams, Kelly Williams II, Christopher Williams, Madelyn Vickery and Mollie Vickery Hunt.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jamey Holland, Matthew Hill, Kelly Williams and Christopher Williams; nephew, Curtis Wayne Tucker; and sons-in-law, Jeff Vickery and Jason Graham.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to Excelsior Baptist Church, 13048 Excelsior Church Road, Metter, GA 30439.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Ogeechee Area Hospice and special caregivers Tonya Hylow and Nicole Lockett.
A private funeral service will be held in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home, with burial at Bulloch Memorial Gardens.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, August 25, 2026
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