Elaine Marie Rucker

Elaine Marie Rucker, 85, of Jefferson City, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at StoneBridge Senior Living – Westphalia.

She was born on November 26, 1940, in New Cambria, Missouri, the daughter of Chester and Lila (Fletcher) Wiggins.

On April 27, 1964, she was united in marriage to Booker Hall Rucker, III, in Columbia, Missouri.  He preceded her in death on January 5, 2016.

A graduate of New Cambria City High School, Elaine earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Lincoln University.

Elaine worked over twenty years as a registered nurse at Memorial Hospital in Jefferson City.

Elaine had a beautiful backyard that gave her much enjoyment as she watched the deer and other wild animals from her deck.  She was an avid Mizzou sports and Kansas City Chiefs fan.  She enjoyed many traveling adventures with her sister Rowena.  Her favorite times were with her grandchildren teaching them about science and enjoying their summer activities of swimming and sporting events. In earlier years, Elaine played basketball and softball and was on a bowling team.    

Survivors include two children, John (Linda) Rucker, Jefferson City; and Sarah (Ronald) Hutto, Columbia; four grandchildren, Sam Luke Williams, Emily Elaine Williams, Marnie Jane Williams, and Ian Arthur Moore; a great-grandson, Lennon Joshua Moore; a brother, Dr. Larry Wiggins, Memphis, Missouri; a sister, Linda (Russell) Putnam, Columbia; and a brother-in-law, Drew Zepp, St. Peters, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Booker, a brother, Gary Wiggins, and a sister, Rowena Zepp.

A remembrance service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City with visitation following till 3:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the America Center of Research, Jordan.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com