Lura Ann Newman Tuck

Lura Ann Newman Tuck, 87, passed peacefully in her sleep on May 18, 2022 in Philadelphia. Known to everyone as "Ann", she was born to Jonas Marshall Newman and Annie Newman Darnell in Moneta, Virginia on July 27, 1934, one of six children who worked alongside their parents to make ends meet. Ann was preceded in death by her brothers, Calvin Newman, Berkeley “George”” Newman, James Newman and Foster son, Donnie King. In 1952 Ann met dashing young serviceman John Tuck at a ball game while he was home on leave. Witnesses reported it was love at first sight. With the blessings from her high school principal, they married November 22, 1952. Ann graduated the following spring as the salutatorian from Moneta High School. The couple settled into a warm and comfortable life in Hurt, VA and was blessed with three children, who eventually bore them six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A dedicated bridge player and traveler, Ann was especially devoted to the congregation at First Baptist Church of Altavista, Virginia. Never one to "put on a show", she was steadfast and true in her service to the Lord. She taught Sunday School with her husband, served as the Church Clerk and held many positions with the WMU, and was a staple in the Bible Study Group. And as the longtime Social Coordinator at First Baptist Church of Altavista Helen Wood Circle, Ann presented a celebration called "Coming Alive in the Lord" in which she compared how flowers and trees appearing in the spring after lying dormant all winter reminds us all of the potential that lies hidden in each of us -- until our service to God brings our truest and best selves to life. Ann loved to cook for her family, especially her grandchildren. Famous for her baking skills, there was always a race for her chocolate pies and yeast rolls, and she loved to bake for shut-in families from the First Baptist Church of Altavista. She and John would drive around town and deliver bread. The couple loved to travel, and they could often be found en route to Virginia, Philadelphia, Nashville, or Los Angeles. They loved beach life and yearned for the sounds and smells of the surf. For many years they spent their wedding anniversary month of November in a waterfront condo where friends and relatives were always welcome. Their month-long sojourns often served as impromptu family reunions and Thanksgiving feasts. From their earliest time together, Ann and John Tuck's love for each other was true and deep. They were always close and were rarely apart. Once John was visiting his brother, Harold in Bedford, after 30 minutes he cut his visit short because he was ready to go home and be with his Ann. This loving companionship continued until the day John died in 2016. Ann Tuck is survived by her sister Linda Wood from Lake Worth, Florida and brother Richard Newman from Vinton, Virginia; her three children. Phillip (Tressa) Tuck of Nashville, Tennessee; Sandra (Stan) Finch of Altavista, Virginia; David (Barbara) Tuck of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Chris Tuck, Sullivan Tuck, Michael Finch, Zack Tuck, Madison Tuck Moore, and Courtney Tuck.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be announced a later date by the John J. Bryers Funeral Home based in Willow Grove, PA.

The family wishes to offer its heartfelt gratitude to Crystal Cesari and her gracious staff at The Terrace at Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, and to Ascend Health for her hospice care. In leu of flowers, the family request donations to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and/or The Memorial Fund of First Baptist Church of Altavista, VA.

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