Willanna Rucker

Willanna Johnson Rucker, 81, of Concord, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2018 at Carolinas HealthCare System University in Charlotte.

Willanna was born July 21, 1937 in the Bald Knob community of Frankfort, Kentucky to the late Haney Abshire Johnson and the late Clara Ann Goins Johnson.

She graduated from Campbellsville University in 1957 where she met the love of her life, Johnny. She was a cheerleader and he called her the "most beautiful girl in the world".  She started out as a Deputy County Clerk in Frankfort and would receive the Kentucky Colonel award.  For the next 56 years, she left her job to be a PTA mother, domestic taxi driver, landscaper, roofer, interior designer, etc, but all of this is labeled as being a mother.  Her true treasure was being a wife, mother and "MiMi" to her grandchildren...which was her biggest priority.  She was always on-call for the next family gathering, even when she didn't feel like it.  She had a gift for providing comfort and a shoulder to cry on that will be deeply missed by all her children and grandchildren.

She was a long time member of Berea Christian Church, where she served in the nursery, children's church, youth leader and VBS director.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 -2:30 pm, on Sunday, August 26, 2018, at Hartsell Funeral Home Harrisburg, 12115 University City Blvd. Harrisburg, NC 28075, with the funeral service at 2:30 pm at the funeral home, officiated by Dr. John Cashwell. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park of Harrisburg.

Survivors include husband Johnny Rucker, sons Tommy Rucker (Linda) and Todd Rucker (Beth), daughters Tina Drye (Danny), Teresa Helms (Robert), brother Haney Johnson (Janet), grandchildren Maranna and MacKenzie Drye, John John and Will Rucker, Andre Rucker, Greer and Grant Helms.

She was also preceded in death by a sister Phyllis Roney.

A special thank you to the staff of Carolinas HealthCare System University and her home healthcare nurse Lisa.

Memorials may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is compassionately serving the Rucker family.