Lillian May (Danser) Rucker

Lillian May Danser Rucker, age 83, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the home of her daughter, Donna, in Englewood. Lillian was born in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, and was a longtime resident of Sweetwater. She loved the people in her church, Fairview Baptist, Athens, TN. Lillian enjoyed sewing, cross stitching, and seek-a-word puzzles.  She had a ministry of encouraging people through giving cards. Throughout her life, she has given thousands of cards to hundreds of people. 

Lillian loved the Lord and her Bible time in the morning. One of her favorite Bible verses was Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

She was preceded in death by her parents: Claude and Susan Danser, her loving husband, Glen (Don) Donald Rucker Sr., a sister: Elaine, and her brothers: Kenny, Claude, Donald, George, David, Tommy, and Roger.  

Lillian is survived by her children: Donna Rucker Godfrey (Robert), Glen Donald (Donnie) Rucker Jr. (Teresa), and Jeanette Rucker Brewer (Eddie), grandchildren: Chrystal, Brandon, Jamin, Brittnie, Todd, Kaitlynn, Andy, Tyler, Justin, Nathan and Cory, great-grandchildren: Mikayla, Robbie, Ben, Charlie, Sofia, Jamin Jr, Olivia, Joshua, James, Hunter, Skylar, Breelyn, Brent Jr, Logan, Brianna, Braxton, William, Olivia, Luke, Rylee, Wesson, Amethyst, Linken, and Stephen, sisters: Susann Brosius and Beth Daley (Ed), a brother: Jerry Danser, along with many nieces and nephews. 
 

Visitation will be held at Fairview Baptist Church in Athens, TN, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at 6:00 PM with Pastor Matthew Herrell and Pastor Jack Scallions officiating.

Graveside services will be held at Sweetwater Valley Memorial Park on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM. 
 

Serving as pallbearers will be Darrell Morrow, Todd Yarber, Steve Ratledge, Brian Birchfield, Michael Elliot and Tim McDonald.

You are invited to sign the online registry at www.zieglerfuneralhome.com

Ziegler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Lillian May Danser Rucker.