The north-south section of the now-formerly Padgett St. has been renamed Tuck Dr. The new street signs were officially unveiled in a ceremony Friday afternoon in Mineola.

The change was needed for 911 emergency calling, with Padgett having both east-west and north-south sections over the years.

Mitchell Tuck was feeling overwhelmed with emotion by the kindness shown to him and his family Friday, sharing, “I’m doing everything to keep from crying.”

He explained, “I got it from my momma,” because she was very emotional, so he is too.

The Mineola city councilman expressed that seeing his family’s name on the signs means, “It’s forever: Tuck. That’s going to be from generation to generation. And they won’t just think of Mitchell, they’re going to think of the Tucks.”

Tuck spoke to a crowd of city officials, friends and generations of family, saying that when he has served his community, it was because he loves the city of Mineola, because he cares. He did it for no reward, but because he wanted to make a difference, so that some young woman or man could follow in his footsteps and maybe go even higher, “but then to get this honor bestowed upon me, all I can say is thank you.”

He believes his parents, Cecil Sim and Zella Mae Tuck, were with them in spirit and happy to see such a Tuck reunion happening.

He later noted it may be difficult to sleep, “because I’m just overwhelmed – not so much for me, but for my family, for my sisters and brothers…because I had a good mom and dad. They provided for us and showed us the way. We came up kind of hard, but we had a lot of love. They had us growing up in the church right here – we’ve always put God first.”

Tuck made certain to credit God and council member Sue Jones for making the signification possible, “because this is what He’s done. Mitchell didn’t do this – He put it into the spirit of someone to come up with it, like Sue Jones, who thought enough of me to make that suggestion.”

He left no doubt about his gratitude and thankfulness.

Tuck praised, “To God be the glory.”