Dorothy Vail Rucker

AIKEN, SC - Dorothy Vail Rucker, 94, died peacefully on March 20, 2017 at Hitchcock Place Assisted Living Center after a period of decline.  Born in Amherst County, Virginia on July 19, 1922 she was the daughter of the late Charlie Lee Vail, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth White. As the Great Depression was ending and WWII loomed ahead, Dot graduated from Amherst High School in 1938.  Given that financial means were tight and self-sufficiency was simply expected, Dot earned her two-year business degree and began office work in the Lynchburg, Virginia business community. A colleague and friend, Kathleen Rucker, introduced her nephew, Henry, to Dot and the two began their acquaintance over an impromptu lunch. After a four year, long-distance courtship, which exhausted three automobiles, they were married in 1952. At the time of their marriage Henry was employed by the DuPont Company. Like many other hard-working couples who came from other parts of the country, Dot and Henry moved to Aiken, SC to build a life and family together. Over the years, when physically able, Dot was a faithful and active member of First Christian Church and First Baptist Church. Dot especially enjoyed the company and laughter of family and friends. Her quiet, inquisitive nature, easy smile and bright eyes will be missed by all that knew her. Dot was a patient, kind and loving mother to daughters Nancy Rucker Goslen (Andrew) of Aiken, SC; and Elizabeth L. Rucker (Robert Kotseos) of Hudson, OH. She is survived by additional family which include her sister-in-law, Marjorie Baise Rucker of Bedford, VA; nieces Mary Elizabeth Vail Logwood (Claude) of Madison Heights, VA; Ann Rucker O’Connor (Tim) of Dunwoody, GA; nephews Robert S. Rucker of Houston, TX and James L. Rucker (Anne) of Charlottesville, VA; and dear friends JoAnn Caldwell (Bob) of Aiken, SC; and Judy Price, of Simpsonville, SC. Dot was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Henry L. Rucker, Jr.; sister, Margaret Vail Watt; brother, Charlie Lee Vail, Jr. Visitation will be held at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, 715 E. Pine Log Road, Aiken, SC 29083 on Thursday, March 23, 2017; 1:00-2:00pm. A celebration of life will follow at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home at 2:00pm. The Rev. Erin Morgan and The Rev. Dr. Christopher Crotwell of South Aiken Presbyterian Church will officiate. Interment will follow at a later date at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bedford, VA. The family would like to express their heart-felt thanks for the excellent care provided by Hitchcock Place staff, Tidewater Hospice and Daybreak Adult Care of Aiken. In lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Salvation Army of Aiken, P.O. Box 439, Aiken, SC 29802. SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, S.C To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Vail Rucker, please visit our flower store.