Elizabeth Norton Rucker
August 23, 1915 ~ September 10, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Elizabeth Smith Norton Rucker went home to be with Jesus and her beloved family on Thursday, September 10, 2009, at Pisgah Manor Health Care Center.
Born in Madison County on August 23, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Ben and Connie Snelson Smith.
Mrs. Rucker spent the majority of her life in Buncombe County and was a member of Clayton Avenue Freewill Baptist Church where she taught a children's Sunday school class for several years.
She was first married to the late Grover Carl Norton and together they lovingly raised two daughters and two sons. Many years after Mr. Norton's passing, she married the late Floyd Rucker.
Mrs. Rucker worked as a seamstress for John Carrolls Department Store for many years until her retirement. Her most cherished accomplishments was the time she spent designing and making doll clothes for her grandchildren and the neighborhood children.
All the children are grown now but they still remember the fun time they spent with their Nanny and neighbor as they played and dressed dolls.
Mrs. Rucker was also preceded in death by her sisters, Latrelle and Rebecca Smith, and brothers Frank and Gordon Smith.
Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Jean Smith and her husband, Hubert and Louise Pike (and her late husband, Everett) of Asheville; sons Leroy Norton and his wife Ines and Ben Norton and his wife, Sharon, of Candler; step-son Ron Rucker of Florida; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren and several step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral with the Revs. Bob Fox and Enoch Ball, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Bowman-Rector Cemetery, Madison County.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
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Dear Leroy, Ines & Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. We have fond memories of the times we spent in your home so long ago. Thank God there’s Joy in the Morning! Our best
To ‘ALL’ the family members; Please know that my heart aches for you during this time. I have cherished memories from Clayton Ave. FWB Church growing up. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,Karen (Miller) Chandler
Jean and Louise, along with Donna, Kay and Debbie: Please know your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time of grief. More importantly, somehow know that your Mother is now in her special room in Heaven and is completely healed of life’s afflictions. It is very difficult to lose a Mother but it is so very special to remember all the cherished times spent with her.
Gatha
I meet Nanny while delivering Meals on Wheels and she was the most wonderful lady I have ever known. She always made it clear what she wanted in a loving and fun way. My heart goes out to her daughter Jean Smith, a wonderful person who took care of her mother long as possible at her home. I love you Jean! I can’t forget my dearest and loving friend Kay and her children whom I will always have in my heart. I love you all!
We would like to express our sincerest condolences. Nanny provided so many happy memories for all who knew her and she will be sorely missed.
Dear Uncle Benny, Aunt Sharon, Leroy/Ines & family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Life is really hard many times, but we know God is good and His Love is everlasting. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do for any of you.
With all our love,
You each have my sincere sympathy and prayers at this time of grief. May God place loving arms around you all and give you comfort now and always.
We love you all and are praying for you during this time.
My prayers and condolences are with the Rucker family. Draw close to Jehovah God in your time of need and he will sustain you (Psalms 83:18).
Lynn, Poppy & Family, My thoughts and Prayers are with your family through this difficult time in your life. May GOD be with each of you as you deal with the loss. May GOD Bless the whole family.
Nanny,
I love you more than words can say-and miss you so much already.
I want to say ‘Thank YOU’ for all the wonderful memories – teaching me to cook – sew – and tend to babies. With your love and guidence – I too, am proud to be a ‘GRAND’mother. I can only hope I will be as wonderful as you. ‘Our’ 5 Generations is something I will always be proud of and cherish forever. The title ‘GREAT-Great Grandmother’ is something my grandchildren will always remember. I LOVE YOU!
I am sure that there were angel robes that needed mending so God called home the best seamstress. YOU truly are the ‘thread’ that mended so many hearts – always making everything right.
Enjoy those ‘Streets of Gold’ and I will see you one day! You will forever be in my heart!
my sweet nanny,
you were there from my birth..and as i grew up, you were the person we all wanted to be at all the family get togethers..when i was sick, you were the healer..when i got married, you made my dress by your own hands. when i moved to florida, you found your way to come see me…and in these stress filled everyday life, your simple ways was comforting to me..showing the simple ways are the best and most treasured…so it was fitting to be there for you on your last day on earth,giving you the comfort your deserve, for a life time of being my nanny…i know you are walking and talking with jesus…and one by one greeting us all back to your arms…i love you nanny…i will see you in heaven…lynn
Martha Jean, Lynn, Kay, Steph, & the rest of the family, please take peace in knowing that ‘Nanny’ is now looking down and smiling at the family she has, for a little while, left behind. You 4 ladies are an excellent example of the loving, caring, & strong-willed women that will forever be her legacy, take pride in that !! If you can give just a ‘little’ piece of what nanny gave a ‘lot’ of to your families, you have done your job. She will be missed, but she forever lives on through you. God Bless the entire family.
To the family of Mrs. Norton, It doesn’t seem that long ago that we all lived and grew up in the same little community. I remember how Mrs. Norton sewed doll clothes. She made a red cordoroy suit for my ‘Ricky’ doll. I can remember her smile and her wonderful personality. Her family will always hold a special place in my heart and the memories of our growing up years are precious. I am sorry I was unable to attend the wake but each of you were in my thoughts.
My deepest sympathy,
Joyce Elkins Evans
We were so sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. There is nothing hurts like losing a Mother. There will be a joyous homecoming with all our loved ones someday. Our thoughts & prayers to all. Mike & Dianne
Dear Jean, Louise,Leroy and Bennie,
First, my apologies. This afternoon, Sept. 13, after a telephone call from my friend Mae in Asheville, I opened my e-mail for the first time since Sept. 9. Jean, thank you so much for your message which I did not see until 5:30 p.m. today. I am so sorry that I had not checked my e-mail. Bert and I would have been with you today had I not been so lax.
Elizabeth was such a dear and we know you and all your family will miss her terribly. Through the years we were always so happy to see Elizabeth whenever we were nearby.
Our loving thoughts and prayers for each of you for the sad days ahead. Your cousins,
Barbara and Bert
Nanny,
You are the best example of a loving wife & mother that I know, always making sure that we loved & cared for each other. You are the one who taught me that simple things can be a blessing, that doing everyday chores can be a chance to be thankful to God & a good time to say your prayers… guess that is why I did dishes and ironing today. I am so thankful for the times we got to spend together shopping, eating out, sewing and talking. You are the GREATEST Grandmother always. I know you will still be watching over us & taking care of us. Thank you for teaching me how to love.
I love you always, Donna
Dear Donna David My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how much you loved Nanny and how much she loved you May God bless and be with you JEAN Sharpe69@yahoo.com
Nannie, You were No.1 for a Mother-in-law. Thank you for letting me marry Jean and accepting me into your family. If I ever needed to talk to anyone you were the one I could come to. You seem to always have the answer. Your wisdom of life ways were always uplifting. I shall always remember the good times we had on vacations, especially the beaches. We were always up to see the sunrise and sit and drink our coffee. Then away we would go huntins shells and shark teeth. I still haven’t found one. I will always remember you and always love you. Hubert
Ben and Family:
I am so sorry to learn of your Mother’s passing. I was at Pisgah Manor visiting residents on your Mother’s birthday and saw her. God bless you and your family as you cope with your loss. Cherish the happy memories until you meet again.
Sweet Nanny…I shall always cherish our summers in Asheville visiting you and Papaw Floyd. Our family was always so greatful he had you by his side. You always made me feel so comfortable and part of the family from the first moment we met.Thank you for sharing your recipes and teaching this Yankee girl to make biscuits!I remember watching your ‘stories’ with you, and fixing dinner. You are a gracious lady and always welcomed people with open arms.We have many wonderful handmade blankets to remember you by. We weren’t blood, but you were MY grandma too. I’ll miss your quiet gentleness.The next thing you see will be the face of Jesus. Bless your good heart. We love and miss you. Cindy, Michael,Tory and Cole William Rucker
My Dearest Mom, This your last day, September 10, 2009, on earth. I, Jean got my hair cut and then drove to Pisgah Manor for the first time by myself without Hubert or Louise. I took your hand and it seemed you were just waiting for me. I said to you Mom open your eyes an look at me. I sat and talked to you for an hour or so. Mom I love you more than anything on this earth. I will be back around 5 this afternoon. Preacher Bob Fox is coming to see you and have prayer. I love you. I love you. I love you. Jean
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My sweetest Mother, If I could only bring back the precious times we shared
as I was a child, as a young lady, and even after I was a Mother myself. You guided me through all the phases of life and I will always treasure the moments
we shared. Especially the times when I was a child and you would bring us a
gravy biscuit at three AM when Dad was leaving for work and then let us sleep until time to get up for school. You would then feed us again before leaving for school with the lunch you had packed for us. You made sure we were always fed. As a young girl you taught me to cook and sew and when I was married you came to my house and we would sit at the sewing machine and sew together
while you sang songs that you made up for me. Later on in the last few years after I met CT we would visit you in your home and sing together while he played his guitar for you.
You are my mother and my best friend and I will always cherish these times and memories we shared together. We will never forget you and we will always love you, Louise and CT.
Nanny, It has been 5 long months since you passed. We all miss you so much and remember the wonderful times we spent as a family. There is not a day that I do not think of you in one way or another. I pray that you will continue to look down on your family here on earth and bless each of us. Give us courage and strength to carry on as you have taught us all to do. I love and miss you Nanny.
Dear Nanny,
It’s me again! It is so hard to believe that you have been gone for 8 months.
Mother’s Day is coming up in a few days. You were always the perfect MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER. You set the example of what a MOTHER should be and taught your family about a loving heavenly Father. You always knew what to say to make us feel better – never judging us – but loving us a supporting us!
I miss you – All MY love – Nanny!
Kay
Good Morning Nanny, Happy Birthday! What a ‘suprise’ party you will have there today! So many of your family and friends will come to visit the sweetest angel in Heaven. Preacher Holder is there to see you too!
I love you so much – and think of you all the time. Happy Birthday! Kay
Good Morning Nanny, Me again…. Guess what I did this week. I bought your home! I love it and I am working so hard to make it beautiful again. I feel your presence in the house while I am working there. The little boy across the street (Marcus) comes over to keep me company…. Just like you always allowed the little children to come in and keep you company.
The first few minutes I was in ‘our’ house alone after buying it – I heard a door shut in the back of the house. Marcus said – It is haunted – and the ghost was sad when Scotty left. I explained to him ‘No ghost’ just a HAPPY SPIRIT’ coming back home to be with me there. Welcome home and I am so happy that you are here with me. I love you and miss you lots! Kay
Well Nanny…. It is so wonderful being back at your home – I love it so much here. There are so many special things that I have come across that make our home special. One thing is – You and PawPaw closed the house on 8/31/1962 and I closed on 8/31/2010. You were 52 and lived here alone after PawPaw died and I am 52. There are many times I turn around and feel you here with me. I love you and miss you so much. There are plans in the making for a grandchildrens evening – and a big Thanksgiving and a bigger Christmas. I know you are looking down on me. Talk with you soon! Lots of Love! Kay
WOW….. what a wonderful Thanksgiving…. My grandchildren spent the night before with me – just like I used to do with you. We cooked – and played. There were 29 here on Thanksgiving – and I think all 29 mentioned you to me. We all miss you so much – but your memory lives on in each of us.
I am so Thankful to have called your Nanny all those years and that you instilled in me what the true meaning of FAMILY is.
Loving you ALWAYS. Kay
Dear Nanny, It has been a while since I ave written to you. I think about you every day. When I come home every day after a hard day, walking up the basement stairs, I stop and say a quick hello as I pass a certain place. There is your smell and I just breath deep your sweet spirit.
I love you and miss you! Kay
Dear Nanny, spring is booootiful this year! I saw a yard full of pink tulips this week and thought of you instantly! I love YOU and miss you so much! Kay
Good Morning Nanny!
Welcome 2013! I know you live in a land where there are no dates and time, no darkness and no sadness! Praise Jesus for your Heavenly home. I long to be reunited with you and share stories that I have made with my children and their children. What a legacy you left with us here on earth!
Christmas 2012 was great! There was the big party on Christmas Eve for Jesus’ birthday. There was at least 1grandchild from each of your children here for the holiday! I try so hard to keep your FAMILY glued together!
Loving you forever!
Kay
Happy 100th Birthday. Donna and I had a little party just for your special day. We love you! Don and Kay
Good Morning Nanny! Me again. It has been quiet a while since I have written. So much has happened. The saddest, Mother left us but you know that because she is there with you. My grandchildren are the greatest and I now have a GREAT grandson – Solomon Grey McClellan. What a joy he is to us all! The 1st of 5 generations with Daddy.
We are already getting plans underway for Thanksgiving. We ask your prayers to be with us. I love you so much!