Betty L. Rucker, 89, a former president of civic groups in Arlington County, died April 4 of congestive heart failure at the
University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. She lived in Arlington most of her life before moving to
Spotsylvania a few years ago.
Mrs. Rucker was born Bessie Barclay Lawson in Washington and was known as "Betty." She graduated from Eastern
High School and the old National Art School.
After settling in Arlington, she was president of the women's division of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and twice
served as president of the women's auxiliary of the Arlington Optimist Club.
She was a member of Westover Baptist Church in Arlington for more than 50 years and helped organize preschool
events and other programs at the church. She spent summers at a second home in Gloucester, Va.
Her husband of 55 years, Robert Parks Rucker, died in 1998.
Survivors include three children, Nancy R. McGee of Charlottesville, Margaret R. Osborne of Sterling and Robert P.
Rucker Jr. of Fredericksburg; two brothers, John Lawson of Gloucester and Donald of Springfield and Gloucester; six
grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
-- Matt Schudel