Malik Cortez Rucker

Former Biloxi resident, Malik Cortez Rucker, 24, died July 14, 2020 in Biloxi, MS. On December 18, 1995, Malik was born to Curtis and Dionne Rucker in Shreveport, LA. He was joined in holy matrimony to Aaliyah Hamilton on January 31, 2016. They were blessed with one child, Arianna Rucker born August 13, 2017. Malik was a proud resident of Biloxi, and played youth baseball, football, and basketball. As a student at Biloxi H.S., Malik was member of the Varsity Baseball team, and true to his love of music, a member of the Biloxi H.S. Band as a trumpet player. After graduating from Biloxi H.S. in May of 2014, Malik worked in food services before enlisting in the United States Marine Corp in January of 2015. After graduating from basic training at Marine Corp Recruit Depot, Parrish Island, SC, Malik was assigned to Marine Corp Base, Camp Lejeune, NC and served honorably and faithfully as a Transmissions System Operator. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, Malik was deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Expeditionary Medal (Red Sea), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Artic Service Medal, Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, and Sharpshooter Rifle Qualification Badge. Malik separated from the Marine Corp on January 4, 2019, receiving an Honorable discharge, and returned home to Biloxi, where he worked as a blackjack dealer at the Golden Nugget Casino. He is survived by his wife Aaliyah, and daughter, Ariana, Biloxi, MS; father and mother, Capt. Ret. U.S. AF Curtis and Dionne Rucker, Biloxi, MS; grandparents Willie and Bettye Williams, Yazoo City, MS, James Sheriff, Chicago, IL, Lattrell Sheriff, Plainfield, IL; father and mother-in-law Howard and Audrey Hamilton, Biloxi, MS; sister Latonya Rucker, New Orleans, LA, brother Jordan Rucker, Biloxi, MS; Aunts, Carolyn Sheppard (Jermaine), Bellwood, IL, Carla Williams, Aurora, IL; Uncles, Clifton Williams, Aurora, IL, Jermaine Sheppard, Bellwood, IL, Terrance Sheriff, Plainfield, IL; sisters-in-law, Lateesha and Jasmyne Hamilton, Biloxi, MS; nieces, Jaidyn Smith, (Latonya), Kimora Hamilton (Lateesha) nephews, Karsen and Mehki Rucker (Latonya), Phillip Wannamaker Jr. (Lateesha), Milo Otis (Kimora); and a host of other relatives and friends. Malik was preceded in death by his aunt Tonya Sheriff, Maywood, IL. Services will be held Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12:00 noon with visitation one hour before. Interment will follow at 1:30 at Biloxi National Veterans Cemetery. Click the link below to view service: https://www.pscp.tv/InfinityFuneralHome/follow Infinity Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Malik Cortez Rucker.