Esther Tuck was born the daughter of Ural Vivian Lessley and Allie Francis Folsom on February 25, 1931 during the depression and “dust bowl “of the mid-west. Esther’s parents moved to California but eventually settled in Sallisaw, Oklahoma where she met the love of her life Paul D. Tuck. After going on three dates, Paul had to return from military leave to California but asked Esther on the faith of love to borrow money from her father and take a bus to California to marry him. She did and they were married on December 16th 1950. Paul’s family loved her and treated her like a daughter from day one.
Esther enjoyed people and was always active. She would volunteer for activities but spent a great portion of her time taking care of their sons while her husband was away in service to his country. Esther decided that after Paul retired they should settle in Pensacola. As the boys grew older she had time to spare for herself and, besides already being a great cook and seamstress, she became an accomplished artist with displays at the Quayside gallery among others. She and Paul had a blast doing art shows and festivals and spent many weekends on the road with her beloved. She also began volunteering for the Red Cross in 1972 at the Naval Hospital. Her very kind spirit, positive personality and patient temperament made it easy to enjoy her company. She was very easy to love and all who knew her adored her.
She stopped volunteering and painting without regret when the health needs of her husband Paul required her attention. She believed in sacrifice for others. She treated all of her boys, their wives and children with unquestionable, nurturing, unconditional, never-ending love. Esther treated everyone she met with kindness and openness. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and human being. She was a great teacher for her sons and molded them into being better people. Her boys will miss her everyday but are comforted to know she has decided to take her last bus to heaven to be with their father, the love of her life.
Esther is preceded by in death by both her parents, her husband, Paul, three sisters, Mary Cole, Clara Bea Wright, and Augusta Joyce Biver, two brothers, Ural Lessley and Johnnie Lessley. She is survived by her three devoted sons - Michael, Joel (Janet), Steven (Robyn), two sisters - Nola Hamilton, Flora McIntosh, six grandchildren – Jennifer, Joshua, Jeremiah (Danielle), Elizabeth, Savannah and Nolan, and four great-grandsons- Matthew, Asher, Brayden, and Arlo.
Special thanks to Regency Hospice and the compassionate care they gave to Esther. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations to that organization in memory of Esther be made.
Pallbearers will be Michael, Joel, Steven, Jennifer, Jeremiah and Elizabeth Tuck.
Visitation & Reception will be held at 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with her Funeral Service beginning at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Oak Lawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the privilege of arrangements.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Tuck family.
