Samuel Lee Tucker

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy

4:7

Samuel Lee Tucker (Sam) was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina on January

31,1932. He was the third child of Frank Tucker and Vandelia Kellum Tucker (both

deceased). With his two older brothers, Fred and Russell (both deceased),his identical

twin brother Nathaniel (deceased) and two younger sisters, Peggy and Gloria Jean

(both deceased), he attended Winston Salem elementary and secondary schools. Sam

graduated from Atkins High School in Winston Salem as Class President in 1950. Since

his Grandfather, Amos Tucker was instrumental in the first Presbyterian Institution

established for Blacks in Morganton, North Carolina, Sam accepted Christ early and

became a Presbyterian.

Sam was enlisted in the United States Army from July 1950 to July 1953. He became an

Airborne Sergeant, Infantry Rifleman, Company Clerk, Squad leader, Intelligence &

Operations Chief and taught Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Psychological

Warfare. On February 28, 1951 Sam was awarded “Combat Infantryman’s Badge”,

“Parachutist Wing Three Combat Battle Stars”, “Korean Service Medal”, “United

Nation’s Medal”, “National Defense Medal” and “Good Conduct Medal”. His greatest

award was the “Bronze Star Medal” with letter “V” device for heroic achievement. He

distinguished himself when his unit was under heavy fire from hostile elements

emplaced in Korea on the opposite bank of the Han River. Sam left his position of cover

and advanced across open terrain to aid two wounded comrades and a Korean

Interpreter. After administering emergency treatment, he carried his comrades through

bursting mortar to a jeep for evacuation. Sam was also instrumental in deactivating an

all Black enlisted men regiment.

After honorably serving his country, Sam attended North Carolina Agricultural and

Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was there that he was

initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of

Science degree in Biological Science. His educational accomplishments also include a

Masters from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in “Guidance and Personnel”

in 1962, a 1964 Sixth Year Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in “Counseling and

Psychology” from New York University in New York City and a 1967 Certificate in

“Problems In College Admissions” from Harvard University in Cambridge,

Massachusetts.

While working at the “Otisville State Training School For Boys” in Otisville, NY, Sam met

a co-worker, Ernestine (Tina) Brown from Trenton, NJ. On August 23,1959, Sam and

Tina were married. From this union they had two children, Samuel II and Sharla. When

the Training School closed in June 1965 , Sam became the first Black Guidance

Counselor at Valley Central High School in Montgomery, New York. He was loved by

staff and students of various ethnicities. He retired in July 1994.

His accomplishments were many and include being a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha

Fraternity, 1972 Alpha Man of the Year, Phi Delta Kappa, Selective Service Board

Member, 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Tri-State 82nd Airborne Association

Chairman, NAACP Director, Ruling Elder and Clerk of Session for Mount Hope

Presbyterian Church, American Legion Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Commander, Korean War Veterans Association President (part of a delegation of

veterans to go to Korea by Congress) and was a Sports Hall of Fame Inductee of North

Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Sam and Tina relocated from New York to Maryland and became residents of the

Collington Community in Mitchellville,MD in 2016. They were often seen together going

to the library, enjoying the swimming pool, working out in the gym, eating at “The

Landing, socializing in the Ivy Lounge with other residents and enjoying the Nature

Trails. Sam is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Ernestine (Tina); a son,

Samuel L. Tucker II (Gloria); a daughter, Sharla Tucker Brown (Larry), five

grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren and many extended relatives and friends.