Verlin Tucker

Verlin Edward Tucker, 58, a resident of Georgetown, TN, teacher at Cleveland High School, and pastor of Maple Street Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN was received home in the loving arms of his Savior at his home Friday morning, August 13, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Odessa Tucker and brother Dwane all of Maryville, TN. Survivors include his loving wife of forty years, Jean Smith Tucker; Sons and wives: Brian and Sherrie Tucker of Ft. Worth, TX, Kevin and Becky Tucker of Goodlettsville, TN, David and Shannon Tucker of Bloomingdale, GA, Grandchildren: Kaden, Keegan, and Brenna Tucker all of Bloomingldale, GA; Brothers: James Marvin Tucker (Audrey) of Jamison, PA, Clifford Tucker (Karen) of Maryville, TN; several nieces and nephews; father-in law and mother-in-law: Francis and Mildred Smith of Louisville, TN; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Robert and Debbie Smith of Louisville, TN. He was a graduate of Friendsville High School and attended The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, prior to entering the U.S. Army Reserve. He served in the 844th Engineer Battalion and retired as a Recruiter from the United States Army Reserve Recruiting Battalion headquartered in Nashville, TN. He received an Associate in Science degree from Vincennes University in 1994. He was beginning his fourteenth year of teaching at Cleveland High School as the Automotive Technology Instructor. During this tenure he had state and national winners in Ford AAA and Skill USA contests nationwide. Steve Clariday, Supervisor of Career and Technology Education in Cleveland City Schools stated that Verlin positively impacted the lives of many students who have been under his instructional leadership. Clariday also stated that with Tucker's hard work and enthusiasm, the first Automotive Youth Educational System (AYES) in Tennessee was established at Cleveland High School. He was currently serving as Pastor of Maple Street Baptist Church, Cleveland, TN. Prior to this he had served as Minister of Education, Deacon, Bible Study Teacher, and many other service capacities at North Cleveland Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening August 15, 2010 at North Cleveland Baptist Church with Dr. Jay McCluskey officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at North Cleveland Baptist Church. Graveside services will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m. at Louisville Memorial Cemetery in Louisville, TN with Bill Bates, Steve Clariday, Jim Goins, Rick Henry, Bruce McMillian and Michael Rumble serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Tucker Class of North Cleveland Baptist Church In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Building Fund of North Cleveland Baptist Church.

Grissom Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.grissomfh.net. For additional information, phone 423.476-8575.