Betty Jean Rucks

February 14, 1934 - February 6, 2022

Betty Jean Rucks passed away peacefully at home February 6, 2022 at the age of 87 with her family and friends by her side. She is survived by her three children, Tommy Rucks, Jr. (Pamela), Keith Rucks (Susan) and Robin Sims (Allen) all of Okeechobee, Fl; grandchildren, Tommy Rucks III of Altamonte Springs, Fl, Kimberly Clark (Brian) of Ringwood, NJ, Laura Altman (Shane), Chase Rucks, Jared Sims (Hannah) and Keith D. Rucks all of Okeechobee, Fl; five great grandchildren, Blake Altman, Murphy Sims, Gabrielle Clark, Norah Sims, and Gracelyn Clark along with her beloved nieces, Kathryn Murphy, Vivian Lee (Aubrey Hand) and special family members Cathy Yates and Jenny McCann. Betty is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tommy Tifton Rucks; her parents Louis Joseph Stokes and Luella Maxwell Driskill; her brother, Paul Stokes; and her son, William Joseph Rucks. Betty was born in Urbana, Ohio on February 14, 1934 to Louis Joseph Stokes and Louella Maxwell Driskill. She was raised in Urbana, Ohio until the age of 16. At that time she and her family moved to Miami, Florida. After graduating high school she married the love of her life, Tommy Rucks. The couple were married for 64 years. Betty has been a resident of Okeechobee and a member of First Baptist Church since 1975. It is here where her three children operated H.W. Rucks and Son Dairy, a business which her husband, Tommy and his father co-founded in 1955. Betty loved her family, life and the Lord. She lived her life to the fullest which was made evident in her many worldly travels with her husband and lifelong travel companions, Red and Reda Larson. She enjoyed summers at her home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with husband Tommy and cousins Neil and Rita Rucks. She spent the rest of her time in Okeechobee where she took great joy in time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to spend the afternoon admiring “her sandhill cranes” that frequented the backyard and she loved all the finer things that life had to offer. Whether it be good food, shopping, or traveling she made sure that every moment spent was done so with enjoyment. Betty’s legacy will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She brought such joy and love to all that knew her and we were all made better by her presence. A special thank you to all the people that helped make her life more enjoyable; Cathy Yates, Jenny McCann, Shannon Johnson, Lesly Connell, Debra Shaw, Aubrey Hand, & Sherri Waldron. Also, VITAS Healthcare for helping with loving hands during her final days. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Okeechobee (401 SW 4th Street) at 10:00AM followed by the funeral service that will take place promptly after at 11:00AM; graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery will follow. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.