Carlecha Vantoria Rucker

Carlecha Vantoria Rucker 

Known for her soul-stirring cooking and for being a "mother to everybody" she met, Carlecha Vantoria Rucker, 53, of Jacksonville, Florida, transcended into immortal grace on February 6, 2026. Born in Palatka, Florida, on October 17, 1972, to Maggie Carolina and Drayton Scott Sr., Carlecha spent over 30 years in Jacksonville building a legacy of love and raising a family alongside her devoted husband, Lenrico Rucker.

Carlecha graduated from the Pace Center for Girls, a foundation that helped shape the resilient woman she became. A provider at her core, she often worked multiple jobs to ensure her family was cared for, always finding a way to make it work. Her career was defined by her service to others, most notably as the night house mother at Panama Youth Service, where she provided guidance and safety to girls in need. Even as her health presented challenges, she refused to let her circumstances dim her light, choosing instead to live a life overflowing with kindness and joy.

Though she was a pillar for many, Carlecha was a beautiful contradiction: she was "everybody’s mom," but she was also "everyone’s baby." She possessed a feisty, goofy spirit and a childlike sense of joy that could light up the darkest room. An avid learner who loved exploring new hobbies, her lovable nature made it impossible not to be drawn to her.

To know Carlecha was to know the flavor of her soul. She was a master in the kitchen, famous for her unique seafood rice and dressing, and her legendary red velvet cheesecakes and rum cakes. But nothing matched the reputation of her "Creeper" hot wings. Named for a sauce that grew hotter the longer it sat, "The Creeper" became a family dare, sparking endless laughter and burning many a brave mouth over the years.

Carlecha was preceded in death by her father, Drayton Scott Sr.; stepfather, Andrew Carolina; father-in-law, Luther Rucker; mother-in-law, Lerose Rucker; grandmother, Lizzie Mae Harris; brothers, Israel Scott Sr., Drayton Scott Jr., Walter McCoy, and Michael Scott; sisters, Moronica Mobley, Lillian Melton, and Letiandrea Rucker-Hinton; and godson, Malcolm Osborne.

Her memory will be cherished by her husband of 11 years (partner of 27), Lenrico "Rico" Rucker; her mother, Maggie Carolina; and her children, Trazanice Scott, Quanesea Scott, Ezekial Scott, Sr. (Elizabeth), and Ron F. Howard Jr. She is also survived by her sister, Chiquita Colbert; her brothers, Bobby Scott, John Scott, Rogee Scott, Eugene Scott, Virgil Scott, Calvin McCoy (Sun), Alphonso McCoy, Leron Rucker, and Santonio Tyler; and her five beloved grandchildren, Ezekial Scott Jr., Zai’mir Scott, Carrie Lee Brown, Vantoria Scott, and Terrill Byrd, Jr. She leaves behind a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends who will miss her every day.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carlecha Vantoria Rucker, please visit our floral store.