AMANDA (TURNIPSEED) TUCKER

Jan. 14, 1960 - Jan. 12, 2010
BUCHANAN - Amanda Claudette Tucker, 49, beloved wife, mother, sister and daughter, who resided on Elizabeth Street in Buchanan, Michigan, departed this life while in her home on Tuesday January 12th, 2010, with her husband at her side. On January 14th, 1960, she was born to the union of the late Rev. Selma Turnipseed and Theldina (Warren) Turnipseed.

She was the third of nine children. Claudette confessed her love for Christ in 1966 at the tender age of six. She was baptized at the First Freewill Baptist Church by her father who was also the pastor.

Amanda graduated from John Adams High School, class of 1978. She then attended Indiana State University Terre Haute, majoring in business management.

On May 26th, 1987, she married the love of her life, Robert. This union produced one son, Selma.

In 1989 the Tuckers asked Amanda's mother to lead them to a church where the pastor lived the life that he preached about. Mom took them to Believers C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Superintendent Samuel L. Diggins. They have been faithfull members every since. Claudette was a member of the Usher Board and was also a member of the Nurses Guild of the church. Amanda ("Mandy," as she was affectionately called by her husband) worked for nine years at Electro Voice of Buchanan, MI, and, 10 years at Tafcor in Berrien Springs, MI, and 10 years for the Bendix Corporation in South Bend. In 2001 she decided to go back to school, and attended Ivy Tech's School of Culinary Arts. Claudette would spend hours on end going to yard sales, and also watching cooking shows. Her family and friends reaped the benefits of her expertise in the kitchen. She earned wide acclaim for her decadent desserts and Seafood Jumbalya.

Amanda also had a tender place in her heart for all children, and she would often go out of her way to do special things for them. Claudette was a humble, soft-spoken, spirit-filled lady, with a magnetic personality. She didn't talk much, but if you engaged her in conversation, you would automatically befriend her.

Amanda is survived by her husband, Elder Robert Earl Tucker; one son, Selma L. Tucker of Grand Rapids Michigan; two stepsons, Robert Tucker Jr. of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Shawn (Emily) Tucker of Niles Michigan; her mother, Theldina (Pastor Jewel) Bridges of Flint, Michigan; one brother, Selma (Cathy) Turnipseed of Portland, Maine; seven sisters, Sarah (Rev. Edward) Brown, Darlene Gray, Minister Aleta Turnipseed, Gloria Stuckey, Mia (Anthony) Carter, all of South Bend, Pastor Willamae Turnipseed of Chicago, Illinois, and, Cammie (Ben) Thompson of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren, Shawn, Chance and Payton Tucker of Niles Michigan, and Sarah Tucker of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; two godchildren, Taysia Hunter of Flint, Michigan, and Jeff Diggins Jr. of South Bend; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other friends.

Claudette was preceded in death by her father, Rev. Selma Turnipseed; one brother, Kiley Jacqui Craft; and one special nephew, Lewis Matthew Jordan Owens Ill.

Funeral services will be held for Mrs. Amanda Claudette Tucker at noon on Monday, January 18, 2010, in Believers C.O.G. I. C., with burial following at Highland Cemetery. Viewing will take place on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, from 11 a.m. to noon in the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where bereavement messages may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, c/o the Tucker family.