Tucker Lyon, 78, of Smithfield, NC, died at midnight on September 19th, 2026, at the Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, NC, after an unexpected and tragic incident in downtown Smithfield. A Graveside service will be held on Monday, September 28th, 2026, at 11 am in Riverside Cemetery, Smithfield. In the event of rain, the services will then be held in the Lawrence Hall at St. Paul's Episcopal Church across the street from Riverside Cemetery. 

Tucker was born on January 28, 1948, in Smithfield, the daughter of the late Honorable Judge W. Pope Lyon and Tucker Lynch Lyon. She was a graduate of Smithfield High School (1966), Peace College (1968) and East Carolina University (1970). After teaching school in St. George, SC for 13 years, she was a political reporter for the daily newspaper in Orangeburg, SC. For many years she divided her time between her hometown and St. George, SC. She is survived by long time friends and extended family. In lieu of flowers, Tucker requested that donations be made to the Wayne County, NC Humane Society and Animal Services at 1600 Clingman Street in Goldsboro, NC.