Lifetime of Compassion
story by Merissa Ferguson
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Ruth Tucker started driving 84 years ago when her grandmother gave her a Ford Model T. "The boys would always ask me to drive them around because they thought I was the best driver," said Tucker. At age 95 Tucker peers out for oncoming traffic after leaving the Heritage Manor Health Care Center in Mayfield.(2008 Merissa Ferguson / The Mountain Workshops)
Ruth Tucker, 95, who was a Sunday school teacher up until two years ago at the First Baptist Church in Mayfield, sings with two of her closest friends, Mary Ellen Bingham, 92, center, and Dorothy Brown, 85, right, during prayer service Wednesday evening. The three are all widowed and drive to and from church together waiting until each one is in their house and lights on before driving away. (2008 Merissa Ferguson / The Mountain Workshops)
Ruth Tucker, 95, looks for denture cleanser at the Food Giant grocery store in Mayfield. Tucker does her own grocery shopping.
Ruth Tucker's white locks are massaged by her second cousin Betty Dillon at the Hairport Hair Design near downtown Mayfield. "If you live your life real good you will have this hair when you're 95," said Dillon who is Tucker's second cousin.
Ruth Tucker, 95, overlooks the recipe for an apple cake on a Friday afternoon in her kitchen. "I think every one of my teeth is a sweet one," said Tucker.
Ruth Tucker holds her hands behind her back as she looks over recipes in old cookbooks.
Charles Wimman, 76, embraces his aunt, Ruth Tucker, with a hello in her living room at her home in Mayfield. Tucker took Wiman and his brother into her home when their mother passed away at a young age. "Really I never could have made it without her," said Wiman.
Ruth Tucker, 95, entertains her nephew Charles Wiman and niece Barbara Sullivan, with popcorn, pie and sodas. "She's a take charge person," said Sullivan.
While peering out the windows in her living room Ruth Tucker, 95, noticed many birds congregating in her bird bath filled with dirty water. "I can't just sit and watch this," said Ruth, who felt horrible they did not have fresh clean water. Tucker swept out the old water before adding the fresh water just before dusk.