MADISON – Early Ray Tucker, 86, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Wesley Long Hospital. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors by the Rockingham County Honor Guard and the North Carolina National Guard. Friends may sign a register and view Mr. Tucker from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until 12 noon on Wednesday at Colonial Funeral Home in Madison. Mr. Tucker was born on November 11, 1935 in Rockingham County to the late Jessie “Jake” Walter Tucker and Minnie Via Tucker. Early Ray served his country honorably in the United States Army and retired from Unifi, Inc. He was a faithful member of Good News Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. For thirty years, Early Ray served his community on the Madison Fire Department; where many of those years he served as chief. He will be forever remembered by as the “Stew Master” among his family, friends and neighbors. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Weeks Tucker; son, Michael Ray Tucker and daughter, Donna Tucker Joyce. Survivors include his daughters, Vicky T. Mabe (Wray), Connie T. Willard and Cindy T. Sharon (Glynn); twin sister, Shirley Tucker Fields and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Madison Fire Department. Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family. Condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net