Leigha Ashlee Tucker

Staff Sergeant Leigha Ashlee Samples Tucker, 22, a resident of Hayneville, AL, died of injuries sustained in an accident on Wednesday April 7, 2010. SSgt Tucker was born in Warren on November 14, 1987 to James and Lin (McElrath) Samples. Leigha was a 2005 graduate of Mathews High School, where she graduated a year early to serve her country in the Air Force. She had attended Howland Christian Schools and was a member of the Christian youth Awana's program. She played trumpet and was a member of the Mathews High School marching, concert and jazz bands and the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Warren Junior Military Band from 2000-03. Leigha was an avid softball player and coach who will be missed by every life that she touched. She served in the Civil Air Patrol from 1999-2005 at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and was a private pilot. Following in her father's footsteps, Leigha enlisted in the Air Force on June 27, 2005. After completing basic & technical training, she was assigned to Youngstown Air Reserve Station to serve in the challenging role as a C-130 loadmaster. She left her footprints in Youngstown, where she not only excelled on duty, but off duty. She served along side her father on the base Honor Guard, rendering honors to those Airmen past and present. Her Air Force career took her to the 908th Airlift Wing, 357th Airlift Squadron, Maxwell AFB, AL. Far from family in Vienna and Youngstown, it wasn't long before Leigha was making her legacy here and abroad. During her deployment to Iraq, it was noted that she would fly long hours and complete the mission to come back and volunteer in the hospitals and clinics because she cared so much for those around her, which inspired her to become certified as an EMT and study in the paramedic program. Leigha loved to play softball, but even more so enjoyed the mentorship in teaching the fundamental skills of the game. She volunteered as a coach at Catoma Elementary School with Dixie Youth Softball League; she opened her heart and home to the young ladies, sharing the joy with them in winning their first game this season. Leigha enjoyed mentoring young women at the pro-life Grace Place Crisis Pregnancy Center in Prattville, Ala. She knew that one person can make a difference in the life of others. Her tenacity to see things through marveled those that worked with her; if she was tasked, others didn't worry because if Leigha had it, they knew it would be perfect. Leigha shared the military with not only her father, but her husband Maj Robert (Bobby) Tucker, Jr. They were united in marriage on July 11, 2009, but will carry a love that is eternal. Leigha is survived by her husband, Bobby, of Hayneville, Ala.; stepson, Ryan of Summerville, SC; her parents Jim & Lin Samples of Vienna; two sisters: Paige Samples and Miranda Samples both of Vienna; her grandparents, Robert & Shirley McElrath of Vienna and Jim Samples of Akron as well as numerous extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Jeanette Beckman and her uncle, Jim McElrath. The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm Tuesday and 1 hour prior to the Wednesday service at North Mar Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, where services will be at 11 am Wednesday, April 14, 2010 with Pastor Scott Praxl officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the Air Force Honor Guard. Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel in Warren is handling the local arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations may be sent to the Grace Place Crisis Pregnancy Center, 707 McQueen-Smith Rd S, Prattville AL 36066.