HENRIETTA ELAINE TUCKER

Henrietta Elaine Stephens was born October 30, 1961 to loving parents Nathaniel and Rhoda Stephens in Chicago, IL

Named after her beloved grandmother the late Henrietta Wardlaw-Jackson, she was affectionally nicknamed “Pookie” by the family. She dedicated her life to Christ as a young child.

Henrietta attended public school in Chicago until 1971 when the family returned to Detroit, MI until she graduated at age 16 from David MacKenzie High School (Go STAGGS). She continued working at Detroit Bank and Trust where she had begun as a Co-Op student until her 18th birthday. Henrietta then boldly joined the United States Air Force and was Honorably Dischargedwhen she discovered she was about to become a Mommie of herfirst child Jareesa Elaine. She was ecstatic and overjoyed as she embraced Motherhood.

Henrietta met and married Darryl Tucker and the family of three moved from Detroit, MI to Lansing, MI where she became a State of Michigan Department of Civil Service employee. 

While dutifully working full time, three more heartbeats were born; Darryl Jr., Brian and Bethany. Henrietta cherished and doated on her children as loving mother’s do. Participating in all 4 children’s academic and extra curriculum activities while at the same time attending Lansing Community College and obtaining an Associates Degree in ParaLegal Studies. Education was important to her and she wanted her children to see that hard work and determination were goals to take seriously and that if you wanted it badly enough you could do it.

Henrietta, the tiny little Lansing social butterfly…better known now as “Hank” to her friends and colleagues, absolutely loved to play Bid Whist and could be found faithfully on Monday nights at Gregory’s slapping cards on the table. She always played to Win (smile). Since a small child she loved to dance, so she’d hit the floor when her jams were played to do ballroom dancing or do the latest hustle and we can’t forget she liked to sing Karaoke.

“Hank” was a fun loving outgoing person wherever she went; whether she was taking exotic cruises and coach bus trips to Chicago, Washington D.C. Vegas, Minneapolis, Georgia, Florida, and countless others; regularly attending stage plays and concerts at MSU Wharton Center with her ride or dies; she was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for CASA, and a Chapter member of the Red Hat Society, American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association.

Henrietta rededicated her life to Christ and became a dedicated and faithful member of Righteous Life Ministries several years ago when they were planted as a new church start, she served and sang in the choir and absolutely adored Mother Rosenthal.

Henrietta retired April 2023 after 39 years of dedicated service to the State of Michigan as her illness became to much and she was looking forward to her Mexican Cruise earlier this month. She fought diligently while never losing or giving up her trust hope and belief in Jesus, always praying one of her favorite scriptures Psalm 25:4-7.

Preceding Henrietta are her parents Nathaniel (Gene) and Rhoda, sister Yolanda Stephens and brother William Clark Jr. (Patricia). She now leaves to cherish her life and memory; her children Jareesa (William), Darryl (Khadijah), Brian (Tirah and Chinea), and Bethany. Sisters: Minister Denise Cannon, Tracey Thompson (Adrian), brother Albert Stephens (Anita), 14 grandchildren, 10 great nieces and nephews, 13 great greatnieces and nephews, a dear Aunt, Mary Dean Wilson of San Antonio, TX, from coast-to-coast a host of cousins, childhood friends, her very special and dear friend Sandy Armbrustmacherand a whole village of forever friends.