Patricia Marcell Tucker, 86, of Gallatin, formerly of Hendersonville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Born June 2, 1940, in Nashville, she was the daughter of the late Nessler William & Bessie Marie Holt Bernard. Her parents raised her on a working farm in Joelton, Tn

Three years later Bessie would give birth to Patricia's brother, Nessler William Jr. They both grew up going to school and church at St Lawrence. Pat spent her school days at St Cecelia Academy til she graduated. She enjoyed giving the nuns there an "interesting day" from time to time shall we say.

After graduation, Patricia held a position with Travelers Insurance Co. and at the luncheonette at Harvey's Dept store when it was part of the bustling, growing downtown Nashville. This is where she met her future husband, Thomas Edward Tucker who lived with his family in Nashville. When they became engaged, he was with the J L Perry Co. They married on Halloween, October 31, 1959, and began married life in Joelton, not far from her parents.

She later became employed as a typist for attorneys at the Stallman Building in Nashville. Pat remembered Fred Thompson during those times. A well-known attorney long before Watergate and his acting days. She would hear what she called loud, solid steps walking into the office where she was typing, she would turn around and there would be Fred, smiling and saying hello to all the office staff as he walked through.

Pat and Tom soon found out she was expecting their only child, Kenneth Wayne, and moved to a larger home in Joelton. Pat brought their bouncing bundle of happiness into the world on August 6, 1960. When Ken was growing up friends asked Pat why they never had another child, she would joke and say “Kenny is all I could handle.” Once Ken came along Pat wanted to work at home, transcribing court reporter’s tapes from dictation for court cases.

Pat and Tommy loved woodworking and also started a woodworking business. Tommy handled the wood and Pat the decorating. They even had a booth in a local antique mall. She later went back downtown to work for the Baptist Sunday School Board also known as LifeWay. She worked her way up to a position she enjoyed at a company she loved, a company that held their values where she attended chapel service there every day. She retired from LifeWay after 27 years of faithful service.

Retirement was hard to get used to because for most of us, work is routine and life feels strange without routine, structure and purpose. Pat learned to love retirement and the freedom to do things and enjoy life. It became harder when her husband Tommy passed in 2012 after 53 years of marriage, but she was strong & continued on. Pat enjoyed her two grandsons and 2 great grandsons and finally a granddaughter who sadly did not get to meet before passing.

Pat really loved going out with her friends and going on trips with Ken & Pam to Daytona, Florida & several trips to the Smokey Mountains. Friends were very important to Pat. Friends like Margaret & Esta who have all been friends through thick & thin for over 50+ years. It wasn't easy but Pat moved from Hendersonville almost 3 years ago to Gallatin to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law.

Pat also had a hard time dealing with her diagnoses of Dementia Alzheimer’s 2016 and constantly pushed herself to remember things she was forgetting. Some days it worked, some days it didn't. She relied heavily on Ken & Pam for support during these unsettling times. Driving her places and making lists to help remember people and holidays. She loved getting calls and cards from people to tell her how they were doing and checking in on her. As she grew older she loved those around her deeper.

Most importantly, there was a huge circle of family & friends waiting to welcome her to her eternal home in our Lord’s Kingdom, her parents William, Bessie; brother Bill; husband Tommy; and Pam's parents Bob & Norma; along many other relatives & friends. Her body and mind are whole again through His Grace & Promise and for this we couldn't be happier.

A memorial service honoring Patricia’s life is being planned and will be announced once the date/time/location has been determined. Arrangements entrusted to Crestview Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center.