The daughter of the late Mr. Willie James Thomas and Mrs. Lizzie King Daniels, Mrs. Rutledge was born in Buena Vista, GA. She was a devout member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church where she served as a Deaconess and with the choir. She was a dedicated employed of the Muscogee County School System, retiring after 32 years Fifth Avenue Elementary School.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Rutledge, Sr., and two children, Jerome Rutledge, Jr. and Lizzie McCarter.

Surviving her departure with cherished memories, include: two sons, Gregory Rutledge, Sr. (Ella) and Randy Rutledge; two daughters, Dr. Judy Purnell and Chris Rutledge Ellison; twenty-two grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, loving great great grandchildren; a devoted caregiver, Denise Marshall; a host of other relatives and friends.