DR. L. BROOKE TUCKER
October 9, 1944 - June 7, 2022
Dr. L. Brooke Tucker passed gently into the presence of the Lord on Tuesday, the 7th of June 2022. She was born on the 9th of October 1944, in Houston.
Dr. Tucker was preceded in death by parents Dr. J. Norris and Leah Middlebrook Tucker of Houston; grandparents, Dr. George Frederick and Leah Carter Middlebrook of Nacogdoches; and brother, Jay Norris Tucker. Dr.
Tucker leaves no immediate survivors. Her legacy is her students. She will be missed by those who knew her as teacher, colleague, neighbor, and friend.
Dr. Tucker attended River Oaks Elementary, the Kinkaid School, and graduated from Lamar High School in 1962. She received a bachelor’s degree from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar Virginia in 1966. She returned to Texas and received both master’s and doctoral degrees in History from the University of Texas.
Returning to her alma mater as a teacher, she taught two years at Lamar High School. Following her time at Lamar High School, she taught for over thirty years at Houston Baptist University where she began as an Instructor in History, progressing to assistant Professor, associate Professor, full Professor, and Chairman of the Department. While at HBU, she received the Outstanding Teacher Award three times. She was also voted Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Dr. Tucker was a member of many organizations including Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society, and Phi Alpha Theta.
By the age of 12, she had already determined her chosen career. “I knew I wanted to teach history and work with people through the realm of ideas,” said Dr. Tucker. “In addition, a study of History offers students an opportunity to view the operative hand of God in the broad sweep of time. I just never knew I would love teaching History so much.” Her integration of her Christian faith with her occupational calling has been an inspiration to many.
From a young age Dr. Tucker was interested in music. She studied voice for many years. She sang in choirs at Second Baptist Church and Sweet Briar College, where she also studied voice. Additionally, she sang with the Houston Oratorio Society (now the Houston Masterworks Chorus).
Dr. Tucker had a gentle and caring way was capable of great tenderness. The world is diminished by her death but made richer because she lived.
A longtime member of Second Baptist Church and River Oaks Baptist, Dr. Tucker was particularly inspired by these scriptures:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7
“…to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians, 5:8
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” Psalms 23:6
A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 16th of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Rev.
Perry Elders will officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
The interment service is to be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 17th of June, at Sunset Memorial Park, 5127 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas.
In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, memorial contributions in Dr. Tucker’s honor may be directed to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77057 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Please visit Dr. Tucker’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared with her family.