Mrs. Mary E. Rutledge KINGSPORT — Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Rutledge, 79, departed this life at 11:10 p.m. Saturday, (Feb. 17. 2007), at Brookhaven Manor, and went peacefully to her Heavenly home after a brief illness. She was born May 4, 1927 in Greeneville, Tenn. to the union of the late James and Lenora Clark. Mary graduated from Douglass High School. She was a prayer warrior and intercessor and was never too busy to be a witness for the Lord or to share of His goodness. She had such a love for the beauty of this earth. Before her illness she could be found in her yard taking care of her flowers for this she was awarded the “Beautification Award” numerous times. She often said “she wanted her flowers while she lived.” She enjoyed her God given talent of cooking and baking with her spirit of giving she often shared her pecan pies and pound cakes. Another of her passions was being able to go to the “Farmers Market.” She made some life long friendships that she treasures. Mary was a member of North Kingsport Church of God. On October 1, 1946, Mary was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Cleveland I. Rutledge. This union was blessed with three loving and devoted daughters, Pamela, Cletta and Penny. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Cleveland I. Rutledge (10/14/06); sisters, Mrs. Rosa Lee LeFlore, Ms. Marqurette Clark, Ms. Jenny Ruth Clark; and brother, James H. Clark, Jr. Mary is survived by devoted daughters and s o n s - i n - l a w, Pamela (John) Sensabaugh, Kingsport, Cletta (Alfred), Rowden, Atlanta, Ga., and Penny (Alfred) Lollar, Greeneville, Tenn; God-daughter, Willena Stokely Ponder, Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Brandon (Bridget) Lollar; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Sydni, Greeneville, Tenn., Meleka (Kevin) Arnett; great grand-children and Marchita Sensabaugh, Kingsport; sisters, Mrs. Ruth Turner, Dallas, Tex., Mrs. Frances Graves, Kingsport, Mrs. Martha Davis, Dallas, Tex., and Mrs. Barara A. Smith, Spartanburg, S.C.; brothers and sisters-in-law, William Richard (Connie) Clark, Kingsport, Arthur (Martha) Clark, Dallas, Tex., Steven (Peggy) Machen,, Kingsport, Mrs. Jean Clark, Mrs. Irene Rutledge, Kingsport, Elders Omar and Ella M. Helm, Northfork, W. Va.; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Brookhaven Manor and staff for the wonderful and loving care you gave our Mother. The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, (Feb. 22, 2007), at Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver St., and anytime at the residence, 333 Dunbar St., Kingsport. Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Dr. Anthony Daniels officiating. Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens in Blountville, Tenn. R. A. Clark Funeral Services, 100 Lincoln St., 423-245-4971, is serving the Rutledge family.
