Helen Ruth Mccowan Rucker

Helen Ruth Rucker, affectionately known as “Puddin” was born June 22, 1934. She went to be with the Lord on May 31, 2024, in the supportive care of Athens Life Care Center. Throughout her life, she was a faithful member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a church mother, choir member, and head of the kitchen committee. She was employed at Tennessee Wesleyan College, Burkett’s Barbeque, and in her later years worked with the Mayfields, serving them with her one-of-a-kind meals and sweet hospitality.

More than anything, “Puddin” enjoyed cooking and had a host of famous recipes including: fried pies, pound cakes, deviled eggs, sweet potato pies, and many others. She loved to share her gift of cooking with her family and everyone in the community. If you had the chance to taste her food, you were indeed blessed by her smile and perfect southern dishes. Along with cooking, “Puddin” had a cute shy chuckle that she shared during conversations and laughter. Her shy personality would come out as a big voice as she joyfully shared her gift of singing with the church congregation on Sundays.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years Clarence Rucker, parents Timothy and Arlice Moore McCowan, stepmother Clemmie Hurst McCowan; siblings William Houston, Frank Edward, Timothy Clemmie, Hubert Ray, Charlotte Josephine, Willie Frances, Clara Mae, Julia Ann, Eula Mae, J.L., Edna Mae Simpson, and Anna Shields.

Precious memories of “Puddin” will be cherished by her family of: four siblings, Junior (Mattie) McCowan, Chester McCowan, Dean (Melvin) Oggs, Pauline (Jackie) Mayotte, three brothers-in-law, Chester Smith S.R., Jimmy Simpson, Richard Latham; three sisters-in-law, Bertha Rucker (Gallatin, TN), Judy Ann McCowan, Margaret (Wendell) Arnwine; a very special sister-in-law Clydean Liggett; and two step daughters, Angela Long and Donna Sue Rucker (Dayton,TN). She also leaves a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and beloved friends and was especially close to her nieces Darlene Smith, Jackie (Ray) Johnson, and nephew Jimmy (Annette) McCowan.

Homegoing services will be held Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Light of Life International Ministries with Pastor Harold McCowan officiating and delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends one hour before the service from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow the service at Moore Cemetery in Niota, TN.