Tucker, Robert Wilson
1/11/1931
Sept. 4, 1862-Jan. 11, 1931 |
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| Robert Wilson Tucker was born in East Felicina Parish, La., September 4, 1862. He died January 11, 1931, at Rayville, La. He was born on a farm and began his married life as a farmer near Deerford, La. He was married to Miss Bellgaro Millican of East Baton Rouge Parish, September 28, 1882. Ten children were born of this union, eight of whom are now living. Mrs. Tucker died December 28, 1912. On January 7, 1914, Brother Tucker was married to Miss Minnie Hines of Ruston, La., who survives. Brother Tucker was a man of industry and good business ability. He could easily have made a success as a farmer but he heard the call of God to, enter the holy ministry and was admitted into the Mississippi Conference in 1888. He was ordained deacon in 1890 and elder in 1892. By action of the General Conference of 1894, that part of Eastern Louisiana then included in the Mississippi Conference was transferred to the Louisiana Conference. Brother Tucker transferred with the territory and entered upon his 36 years of useful ministry in the Louisiana Conference. He was at once placed upon the Board of Missions of the Louisiana Conference, and it was in that Board that my acquaintance with Brother Tucker began, an acquaintance that grew into an Intimate friendship never broken or strained in these thirty-six years. In 1897 1 was assigned to the pastorate in Baton Rouge with Brother Tucker as presiding elder. In our relations during this period we were often together. I learned to know the solid worth of this good man. Brother Tucker was a self-made man in the best sense of that expression. Not having had the advantages of a college course he became ~a diligent reader and student. He never relaxed in this pursuit. The last Conference we attended together he was inquiring about new books and discussing books read during the previous year. He grew in his judgment of books and power to get the good out of them. He nevertheless thought for himself. His mind was alert. His sermons were carefully prepared. He wrote a great deal. He felt in honor bound to study and offer his best to his Lord and the Church. His mind coveted the best things and diligently pursued the ways of knowledge as fast as they were opened to him. Brother Tucker threw himself into his work with all his might. The number of four-year terms served by him in the pastorate and presiding eldership indicate his ability to carry on. He was Instrumental in building and improving the church property as in his fine work at Lake Charles and Homer. His work was constructive. He poured his energy into his task whatever it might be. He was active as a member of the various boards and committees on which he was called to serve. Always in the Conference room, he took a deep interest in the proceedings and often spoke on the questions before the body. He always tried to get a clear idea of the issue and take his stand clearly for what seemed to him right and just. His religious life was a genuine struggle for victory over everything contrary to the life of a Christian. I have beard him tell of his struggles in prayer for fuller consecration and larger trust in the all-sufficient grace of Christ. He reached out for growth in grace and power for service. No man was more after the mind of the apostle in saying, “Not as though I have attained.” He was true to his friendships. He was essentially a man for friendship. There was nothing of the solitary about him. The human touch was strong in his life. He knew much of the human heart and his own emotions were often awakened by the sense of a brother in need or his triumph. During Brother Tucker’s ministry,, he served the following charges: Livingston Ct., La., one year; Live Oak Ct., La., one year; Sharon, Miss., one year; Wilson, La., four years; Baton Rouge District, four years; Lake Charles, four years; Crowley, one year; Baton Rouge District, four years; Leesvllie, two years; Ruston District, four years; Noel Memorial, Shreveport, two years; Crowley, four years; Homer, four years; Bogalusa, four years; Mansfield, one year; Rayville, one year. This is a long and noble list of charges faithfully served. His work was well done but never as well done as he wished it to be. The end came quickly. Perhaps not without anticipation but in any case he was ready to work on here or to enterprise new routes of life and service in the eternal world. Franklin N. Parker.
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| Source: Annual of the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Pages 86-88, 1931 | |
