Lauretta Kay Tucker, 86, of Knoxville, passed from this life peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Spring Arbor of Frederick. She was the devoted wife of Jerome William Tucker, with whom she shared a life rooted in love, family, and cherished memories.

Born on December 19, 1939, in Brunswick, MD, Kay was the daughter of the late Lauretta Pearle and Walton Lee Gosnell. She is preceded in death by her sister, Dixie Lee Jarrett. Kay is survived by her husband, Jerome, and their two children, Keith Tucker (Amy) and Leah Price (Mike), and their four beloved grandchildren, Brooke Price, Blaine Price (Alexis), Noah Tucker (Salley) and Nicholas Tucker (Nicole).

Kay graduated from Brunswick High School in 1958. Following high school, she began her career with the Atomic Energy Commission, where she worked until 1962. That same year, she married Jerome, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades.

Kay later began working for Frederick County Public Schools filling various positions in the Brunswick feeder pattern. She retired in 1997 as the administrative secretary to the principal of Brunswick High School.

While Kay took great pride in her work, her greatest joy came from her family. After retirement, she embraced what she considered her most important and rewarding role of all—being “Nana”. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments, sharing in their lives, and creating memories they will carry with them always.

Kay and Jerome also enjoyed traveling together. Their adventures took them to Alaska, Las Vegas, and Hawaii, among other places. During the winter months, they enjoyed living in Daytona Beach, Florida.

A woman with a creative and generous spirit, Kay enjoyed painting and had a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. She was a member of the New Hope (formerly New York Hill) United Methodist Church and, for a time, sang in its choir. Above all, Kay loved bringing her family together. Sunday dinners were a treasured family tradition, filling her home with good food, conversation, and laughter shared with the people she loved most.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1100 North Maple Avenue, Brunswick. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 18, at 11:00 a.m., with the family receiving friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that memorial donations be made to the National MS Society at nationalmssociety.org.