Rome, Georgia, has always been home for this remarkable resident, except for a few short stints in Augusta and Milledgeville, Georgia, Franklin, North Carolina, and Miami, Florida. Her family roots run deep—from Virginia down through the heart of the South—and her curiosity about those roots led her on a journey of discovery after surgery, when she delved into her heritage through Ancestry.com. What she found amazed her: Patriot ancestors who fought for liberty, Scottish and English forebears, South Carolina sharecroppers and the elite, and even hints of a connection to the Mayflower. Her family’s story, chronicled in “My Tucker Kin,” includes the testimony of her fourth great-grandmother, who managed to avoid the Trail of Tears with her Cherokee people. Her maternal grandmother, Eva, also passed down stories of hardship and survival among the Choctaw.

She met her high school sweetheart, Tom Seckinger, through their fathers, who became friends while bird hunting. She and Tom recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary—on June 6th, the same date both sets of parents were married. Tom’s family moved from Atlanta when his father took a job at Plant Hammond with Georgia Power, beginning a tradition that continues with their son, Brad, now a fourth-generation employee. Family has always been at the center of her life: she and Tom have four children—Austin, Anita, Amanda, and Brad—nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, who are their pride and joy.

Faith and community have shaped her days. She and Tom were active in their church, their children’s schools, and any community event that called for a helping hand. They never met a stranger and shared a love of antiques and vintage treasures, traveling to “pick” at sales across the South. Their adventures included working the Longest Yard Sale in Mentone, Alabama, and two appearances on the TV show Antiques Roadshow. For 25 years, they’ve run booths at local antique shops, connecting with fellow history lovers along the way.

Her interests are wide-ranging: she’s drawn house plans and built two homes, organized church events and parties, traveled with her children on mission trips, and enjoyed camping and gardening. Playing in the dirt—whether with flowers or vegetables—has always been a kind of therapy. She’s also a writer of childhood memories and a supporter to others in need. Her spiritual calling to missions led her to help establish Crisis Pregnancy of Rome in the 1970s, offering women support and encouragement to choose life.

Her professional life has been just as varied and fulfilling. She studied accounting and worked as a bookkeeper, then moved into education as a paraprofessional, lead secretary, bookkeeper, classroom manager, and instructor in keyboarding and computer skills for elementary students. She’s also worked as a long-distance operator, antique shop clerk, lawyer’s secretary, restaurant cashier, and PBX operator for Redmond Park Hospital.

Now, her greatest joy comes from caring for Tom as they navigate the challenges of aging, and from the circle of new friends she’s found at Renaissance Marquis. Her story is one of family, faith, resilience, and a life lived in service to others—a life that has touched many in Rome and beyond.