Mother Sammie s. Rucker

Time to be Born…

Sammie Sue Law entered this world on August 2, 1929 in Commerce, Georgia. She was the third child and only girl born to the late Bud and Maggie Bell Colbert Law. She gained herheavenly wings on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Time to Grow…

At an early age, Sammie Sue committed her life to being a servant of God. She joined Mt Zion Presbyterian Church located in the Hurricane Shoals area which later merged with Sardis Presbyterian Church where she continued to serve. In 1934, at the age of five, school life began for Sammie Sue. By the age of eighteen, she had completed the following institutions: Hurricane Grove Jr. High, Johnstown School, Commerce, Georgia, Fair Street High School, Gainesville, Georgia and had obtained an Associate Degree in Education from Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Time to Work…

In July, 1948, Sammie Sue’s teaching career began at Old Gum Springs School which was a one room school near Hoschton, Georgia. In September, 1949, her teaching career continued at Bryan High School where she taught for nineteen years. In September of 1968, she was transferred from Bryan High to the North Jackson Elementary School where she taught until retiring on June 11, 1981, after thirteen years. Sammie Sue taught for 33 years and taught every grade but the first grade. She also spent six years of her career teaching special education classes. During her early years of teaching, Sammie Sue went to Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, Georgia, on Saturdays and during the summer months until she graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She also continued her education throughout her working career by taking college courses at the University of Georgia and Tennessee where she was working on her Masters Degree. 

Sammie’s service to the Athens Presbytery, Northeast Georgia Presbytery, Northeast GeorgiaPresbyterian Women “PW”, and Sardis Presbyterian Church are too numerous to list all; but,some of her leadership roles include:

PW Moderator, Athens Presbytery

PW Moderator, Northeast Georgia Presbytery

PW Moderator, Sardis Presbyterian Church

PW Coordinator, Mission Opportunities

PW Representative, Justice for Women

PW Coordinator, Beth Duncan Fund

PW Coordinator, Racial & Ethnic Concerns

Chair, Presbytery’s Nominating CommitteeChair, Presbytery’s Committee on Representation

Presbytery’s Spiritual Formation & Discernment Ministry Team

Presbytery Council

Presbytery Black Caucus

Presbytery’s Vision Task Force

Presbyterian’s Campus Ministry Board

Synod Commissioner

General Assembly Commissioner

Clerk of Session, Sardis Presbyterian Church

Sammie was also committed to her community. Some of her community service include:

Jackson County Jury Commissioner, Board of Equalization, Habitat for Humanity and

Retired Teachers Association.

Sammie loved helping others. She was constantly recognized by government and civic organizations for her countless volunteer hours with the Northeast Georgia Presbytery, Habitat for Humanity, Jackson County Community Outreach, Northeast Georgia Food Pantry and the Sardis Food Bank. Sammie loved to sing praises to God. You would often see her singing in the church choir, singing with her brothers and singing with the Jefferson Harmonettes. In addition to her community service, Sammie Sue was an avid gardener, reader, crocheter, and cook.

Time to Love…

On January 27, 1953, she was united in holy matrimony to Luther Frank Rucker and to this union two children were born: Anthony Taylor and Saverne Theonita. She is preceded in death by her husband and brothers, Lovett Law, William “Zip” Law, Frank Law, and Robert Law.

Her life and legacy lives on with her children: Dr. Anthony “Tony” (Michelle) Rucker, Monroe, GA and Saverne Rucker, Jefferson, Georgia, special daughter: Mary (Bobby) Burley, grandchildren: Jessica (Wallace) Reese III, Charlotte, NC, Tarla (David) Atwell III, Commerce, GA, Anthony Rucker II, Hiram, GA, and Marshall (Brittany) Varnum II, Bethlehem, GA, great-grandchildren: Wallace Reese IV, Kyra Dixon, Layla Sue Varnum, brother: George (Rachel) Law, Commerce, Georgia, Sister in Law: Lucille Law, Commerce, Georgia, stepbrothers, stepsisters and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.