North Tulsa Congregation Helping Mother Tucker Find A Permanent Home

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A Tulsa icon needs help finding a permanent home. Mother Grace Tucker has been working with the poor and homeless for more than 40 years and even has a street named after her.

Now, only the generosity of a Tulsa church is keeping her from living on the streets.

"She goes to see you in jail when no one else will, like mom. She's going to cook for you at six in the morning, like mom," said Pastor Mike Hill, Greenwood Christian Center.

Tucker spent decades running the Mother Tucker Ministry, offering food and shelter and support for the poor and destitute. Now, the 91-year-old minister is homeless herself.

The Mother's Day service at Greenwood Christian Center brought attention to her plight. Pastor Mike Hill says he became a man of God because of Tucker's influence.

"Watching Mother's example just reminds us of the basic responsibility of the believers, to take care of the people less fortunate," said Hill.

Tucker had been living with her daughter, who moved away in April for medical issues. Tucker spent weeks in a hotel, until Pastor Hill last week began renting a home for her near Bixby.

Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6: Can't her own family, her own children, take her in this time of need?

"They could. They could. Most of her family lives outside Oklahoma, and Mothers not going to leave Tulsa," said Hill.

Along with other community organizers, Hill's hoping to raise $150,000 to buy the house. He says it's his Mother's Day wish, to a woman known in every corner of the city.

"Mother Tucker is, well, she's mother. She's mother to this community," said Hill.

If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution:

• Call Citizens for Mother Tucker at (866) 324-8481

 or

• Text MOTHER (space) the amount you would like to donate to 27138. For example, to donate $20, text MOTHER 20 to 27138.