Annie Laura Rucker, age 97, of Arkadelphia, formerly of Sparkman, passed from this life on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at Baptist Medical center in Arkadelphia.  She was born May 13, 1920 , in Manning, the daughter of the late Sterling and Annie Amis Launius.  Annie was retired from the United States Post Office in Sparkman.  She was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church .  Annie enjoyed reading in her free time.  She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Henry Herring, her second husband, Johnny Granville Rucker, two daughters, Freida Pierce and Doris Tucker, one brother, Cecil Launius, and one sister, Lois Rucker.

Survivors are four sons, Doug (Donna) Herring of Camden, Kenneth ( Charlotte ) Herring of Nashville, TN, Johnny Rucker of Sparkman, and Jerry ( Sharon ) Rucker of Arkadelphia, two daughters, Lisa (Jim) Wise of Benton, and Delores (Benny) Dickey of Sparkman, one brother, Marvin Launius of Fordyce, 26 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and 17 great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Bro. Rick Hyde officiating.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at Welch Funeral Home.

Interment will be in Sparkman Cemetery .

Pallbearers are grandsons, Mark, Jade and Brock Herring, David Wise, Allen Pennington and Mark Rucker.

Honorary pallbearers are Tracy and Todd Rucker, Sammy Tucker, and Lloyd and Jason Denton.

Memorials may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church c/o Mike Wilkins, 1220 N. Hwy 7, Sparkman AR 71763 .

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.  Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.