Margaret Karen Tucker

Margaret was the daughter of Ernest E. Heck and Hermena Morgan Heck, both of Salisbury. She grew up in Salisbury, graduated from Boyden High School in 1949 and attended Women’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC Greensboro), where she excelled in her studies in piano, music theory and the organ.

She raised her three children in Salisbury, where she worked as the executive assistant to the superintendent of the Rowan County School district for over three decades. Her passion, though, was always music. She was the organist for several of the local churches in Salisbury, but most recently the long-time organist for the congregation of the Ursinus Church of Christ in Rockwall, NC. She also was their music director, and the adult and children’s choir director. Over the years, decades ago, she was the accompanist for Salisbury’s Chorale Society and served the community as a well-recognized and sought-after organist for countless weddings and as a pianist and accompanist for local events. Margaret also loved to travel and was able to visit many destinations all over the United States, Europe, the Holy Land, Egypt and Asia early in her retirement. When she wasn’t traveling or playing piano, she was gardening at her home. She truly enjoyed her life, doing all the things she loved.

While she served as organist for other congregations in the area, Margaret was a long-time member of the First Methodist Church in Salisbury, where she volunteered her administrative services earlier in her retirement. She also enjoyed her Bible studies there, where she attended all of their Disciple classes. She was always fascinated by the Bible and its teachings, and she loved her Lord Christ.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband Everett D. Tucker of Salisbury, her daughter Karen S. Drye of Landis, and her sister Helen H. Mitchell of Raleigh.

She is survived by her daughter Helen Harden of Broken Bow, OK, her son Jim Stroud (and wife Julie) of Sacramento, CA, her grandchildren Dustin Loftice (and wife Marcella) of Ventura County, CA, Ryan Loftice (and fiancée Karlie Roland) of Ashton, ID and Justin Stroud (and wife Misty) of Minneapolis, MN, and her great-granddaughter Brooke Loftice of Ventura County, CA. She is also survived by her brother, William (Bill) Heck and wife Emily of Charlotte, NC, along with her beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to recognize and thank the amazing nurses and staff of Accordius Skilled Nursing facility, Rowan Memorial Hospital and the Glen Kiser Hospice House, all located in Salisbury. They would also like to recognize the care she received from John Drye of Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home of China Grove.

Margaret will be greatly missed by her family and friends and all who cherished her music, her sense of humor and her laughter. The family will have a private service in the coming months and would like to suggest in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation in her memory to Rowan Helping Ministries, as she was always impressed and loved the work they do as they serve the community.