Jo Pearl (Adams) Rucker

January 13, 1924 — January 20, 2019

Jo Pearl Rucker was born in Clarksville, Texas on January 13, 1924. She passed away on January 20, 2019, at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by parents, Guy and Mattie (Latimer) Adams; spouse, George W. Rucker; brother, Marvin Adam; and sisters Carrie Mae Adams and Alice Chivers. Her son, Kanawha Rucker, also preceded her in
death.

Jo Pearl attended Cheatham High School, where she was a basketball and track star and graduated summa cum laude. She met the love of her life, George W. Rucker, who she married August 2, 1941. In 1956, by way of California, Jo Pearl and her family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where her sister Alice resided. 

Jo Pearl was a loving mother, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother. As a young widow, she dedicated her life to caring for her elderly mother, raising her children, and helping raise her grandchildren. 
Jo Pearl was a devoted member of St. Peter’s A.M.E. Church, where she was an usher and choir member. 

Church members fondly named her “Peppermint Patty” and “Badness.” She was appointed a church stewardess by the late Reverend Arctic S. Harris and faithfully served until her health prevented her from doing so. She was an avid gardener who willing shared her bounty with friends, neighbors and strangers. She was an orator who passed down many vibrant, colorful stories of family history.

Jo Pearl is survived by three sons, George (Sandra), James (Stearline) and Charles (Melanie); three daughters, Marion, Patricia and Carol (Rodney); 19 grandchildren, Rondah (David), Richard, Regina, Rafonne, Larry, O’Nikka, Khalilah, Carmen (Tim), Shawntel, Brandon, Joetta, Phillip, Brianna, Nicholas, Xavier (Veronica), Lauren, Dominque, Malik and Taj; great and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

Visitation will be at St. Peter AME, 401 E. 41 st Street, Mpls., MN on Friday, February 1, 2019, at 10 am. Services to follow at 11 am.

Thank you for your prayers, which have increased our faith; your words, which have encouraged our hearts; and your presence, which has given us arms to lean on. The thought of every card and expression of kindness and sympathy addressed a touch of beauty. Because of your caring and sharing, you have made our burden much lighter. Please continue to pray for us, and may God’s blessing forever shine on each of you.

The Rucker Family