Obituary of Ambia Vondalee Rucker

Mrs. Ambia Vondalee Rucker, 82, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her sons, on February 27, 2023. Affectionately known as Von or Vondalee, she was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 20, 1940, and was the daughter of the late Staff Sgt. Bennie Patterson and the late Ambia Woolridge Patterson Neale. She attended Harriet Tubman Junior High School in Howard County, MD, and then St. Francis de Sales High School in Powhatan County, Virginia, which opened as a boarding school for African American and Native American girls. She graduated from there in 1959. During her early years, Mrs. Rucker spent much of her time with her grandparents, Thomas Woolridge, Sr., MD., and Etna Humbert Woolridge on their farm in Elkridge, MD. Her fondest memories were working and playing on the farm with her cousin, June Chapman, and participating in the annual "Little Folks' Camp" under the direction of her Aunt Grace Burkett. Mrs. Rucker, following in the footsteps of her mother, aunt, and uncles, attended and graduated from Morgan State University in 1964 with B.A. in Sociology. There, she met her future husband, Dr. James Tarver Rucker, Sr. It was also a place where she, her cousin June, and other students decided to take a stand for civil rights by protesting Northwood Theatre's refusal to let blacks enter. She and other Morgan State University students were arrested and jailed for several days. With significant outside pressure and white students from Baltimore area colleges joining black students from Morgan State in the protests, the Baltimore City Mayor announced that Northwood Theatre would open its doors to blacks and release students from jail. In 2015, Morgan State University awarded Mrs. Rucker an Honorary Doctorate Degree, along with other students who were arrested in this movement. Following her graduation, Mrs. Rucker worked for the D.C. Department of Recreation as Center Director, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services as a Foster Care Worker, and the American Red Cross as Customer Service Representative. She also had an international trade business in the late 1970s that launched as Von's Imports and Exports. As she phased out of the international business scene, she developed a passion for international fashion, which led her to establish her business, Ambi-Xotic. She designed and sewed beautiful pieces of clothing which were often featured in the many fashion shows she participated in or hosted. Mrs. Rucker enjoyed attending professional events with her husband, including those sponsored by Chi Delta Mu, a professional Allied Health fraternity that was co-founded by a family member, Charles Humbert at Howard University. She found great joy in camping trips with the "Black Hawk" camping club. Also, she loved entertaining, cooking, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Rucker is predeceased by her husband, Dr. James Rucker, Sr. Her memories will continue to be cherished by her three sons, James Jr., Ivan (Sandra), and Alfred (Janaé), three beautiful granddaughters: Camryn, Kayla, and AVA; best friend Levonne Harris; a host of loving family members and friends. Viewing and visitation will be held at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home in Randallstown, MD on Monday, March 13, 2023, from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm. A private graveside service will be held at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, MD. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Ambia V. Patterson Rucker may be made to the Morgan State University Foundation to benefit the Class of 1964 fund. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Morgan State University Foundation and sent to Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251. Online donations: www.givetomorgan.org