She was met in heaven by her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, Wayne K. Tucker, to whom she was married for 64 years, and who predeceased her in March of this year.

Melba was born in Boise, Idaho, to Maude E. Joslyn and Donald Joslyn. Three brothers, Don, Ted and Dick Joslyn, and two sisters, Lowell Aitken and Gretchen (Ethel) Crammer, predeceased her. Mrs. Tucker graduated from Natrona County High School in Casper, Wyo., where she lived for over 70 years.

After graduation from high school, she began her career at The Casper National Bank, taking leave only to have her five children and then returning to work. At her retirement in 1985, after 31 years of service, Melba was a vice president with First Interstate Bank of Casper. She was one of the first women to hold this position. She was an officer in the National Women&squo;s Banking Association as well as the First National Bank Employees Association.

Melba and Wayne were members of the Paradise Valley Country Club and she was an officer of the PVCC Ladies Golf Association. Melba won several golf tournaments and was also a city champion tennis player.

Mrs. Tucker, along with her husband, Wayne, was a member of St. Mark&squo;s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo., for over 60 years.&bsp; She had been on the altar guild and a member of the visitation committee, and helped in the food pantry at the church. They also delivered Meals on Wheels and were members of the Heritage Club. They enjoyed many lifelong friendships and were members of The Petroleum Club and The Alarm Clock Social Club. She and Wayne attended The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Tryon, since their move to the North Carolina area in 2005.

Survivors include daughter Donna Tucker Heinzenknecht and her husband Barrie of Landrum,&bsp; son Robert D. Tucker and his wife Deanna of Spokane, Wash.&bsp; Three other sons, Terry, Scot, and Michael Tucker, predeceased her.&bsp; Also surviving are five grandchildren: Greg Michael and wife Priscilla of Alpharetta, Ga.; Jeffrey Tucker and wife Amy, and Kimberly Tucker of Spokane, Wash.; Forest Heinzenknecht and wife Elizabeth of Philadelphia, Pa.; and Derek Joslyn Tucker of Casper, Wyo.; and five great-grandchildren: Thomas, Julia and Jonathan Michael, and Aiden and Gavin Tucker; a sister Joan Stroud and husband Clarke of Littleton, Colo.

A memorial service and celebration of Melba&squo;s life will be held on Nov. 28, at 2 p.m. at the Cliffs Glassy Mountain Chapel, with Father Michael Doty officiating. Following will be a reception at the Cliffs Glassy Mountain Golf and Country Club. A graveside service for both Melba and Wayne will be held at Highlands Cemetery in June 2009, in Casper, Wyo.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722, or to Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, where Michael and Scott Tucker were cared for before their deaths.

An online guest register can be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapelof Tryon is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary