* Darnell L. Rucker; School Psychologist

Darnell L. Rucker, a former teacher who worked as a school psychologist at San Fernando High School, has died at a Panorama City hospital. She was 47.

A longtime Lake View Terrace resident, Mrs. Rucker died Wednesday of cancer, said her husband, Joel Rucker.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, she graduated from Los Angeles High School, earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology at UCLA and a master’s degree in psychology from Cal State Northridge. She began her teaching career in Northern California, but returned to teach sixth grade at San Fernando Valley schools, including Vaughn Street School in San Fernando, Filmore School in Pacoima and Morningside School in San Fernando.

Mrs. Rucker later worked as a school psychologist at Nobel Junior High School in Northridge, Gridley Street School in San Fernando and various alternative junior high schools in the Valley. She most recently was assigned to San Fernando High School.

In 1976, Mrs. Rucker became a founding member of the San Fernando Valley chapter of Jack & Jill Inc., a national social and community service organization for black children. Mrs. Rucker was also a board member of the Calvary Baptist Church Literacy Program.

In addition to her husband of 23 years, Mrs. Rucker is survived by her son, Joel Rucker Jr. of Lake View Terrace; daughters, Nekko Rucker of Atlanta and Tumaini Rucker of Palo Alto; her mother, Valma Avery of Phoenix, and brothers, Earl Avery of Cambridge, Mass.; Chris Avery of Phoenix and Michael Avery of Los Angeles.

Visitation is planned from 2 to 6 p.m. today, followed by a wake from 6 to 9 p.m., both at Rucker’s Mortuary, 12460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, which is handling the arrangements.

A funeral is scheduled at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church, 12928 Vaughn St., San Fernando. Burial will follow at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall.

Donations can be made to the Darnell L. Rucker Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Rucker’s Mortuary.