City Unveils Ruby Tucker Park

Friends, family members and Alexandria city officials past and present paid tribute to Ruby Tucker on Saturday morning at a park dedication ceremony in honor of the tireless “Queen of Lynhaven.”

The park, located at 3500 Jefferson Davis Highway, will be a gateway to the Lynhaven neighborhood where Tucker lived and worked for decades as a community activist.

Beginning in the 1970s, Tucker, who passed away in 2009, organized a small group of citizens to work with police to combat open-air drug trade and prostitution in the neighborhood. She confronted this issue and many others in Lynhaven throughout the years, all while caring for her two children as well as countless foster children.

Beyond Lynhaven, Tucker served Alexandria’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority for 12 years, worked as director of ALIVE Child Development Center and was the elections chief at Cora Kelly for several decades. She was also a founding member of First Agape Baptist Church in Del Ray and served as PTA president at multiple Alexandria schools.

Mayor Bill Euille, who recalled meeting Tucker when he first joined the Alexandria School Board in 1974, said she was an example of how someone can leave a mark on a city without being an elected official.

“Mayor Euille described her as bossy,” said U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th), a former Alexandria mayor. “Well, she cared. She was diligent. … I’m happy the City Council immediately recognized how appropriate this honor is.”

The park contains several park benches, trees and horseshoe pits next to a new bus stop on Jefferson Davis Highway.

“I only wish my mother could be here to see and smell this rose,” said Patricia Tyler, Tucker’s daughter.

Joe Bondi, president of the Lynhaven Citizens Association, said the LCA is currently raising funds to erect a memorial plaque in Tucker’s honor. The plaque, which is expected to cost as much as $6,000, will be placed in the park. Those interested in contributing to the project can contact Bondi at joebondi@gwu.edu.