Mrs. Mary Ruth Rutledge Passes

Mrs. Mary Ruth Fleming Rutledge of Yadkinville died Thursday, April 26, 2012. She was the widow of William E. Rutledge, Jr., author of An Illustrated History of Yadkin County, the defining book about the county’s past first published in 1965. Bill Rutledge was the editor and publisher of The Yadkin Ripple, a weekly newspaper, owned by the Rutledge Family for three generations until it was sold in 2002. Bill Rutledge died June 27, 1995. For many years, Mrs. Rutledge was closely associated with her husband in publication of the newspaper, serving as proofreader, classified ad writer and receptionist. She grew up in Boonville and served in the United States Waves during World War II. She was a member of Yadkinville First Baptist Church. Mrs. Rutledge’s daughter, Gail, also preceded her in death. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Carol Rutledge of Yadkinville. Mrs.Rutledge was buried on Saturday, April 28, next to her husband in the Yadkinville Cemetery. A memorial service, arranged by her church, Yadkinville First Baptist, was held at 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, June 3, 2012. The congregation sang one of Mary Ruth's favorite hymns, "When We All Get to Heaven," and did it with gusto so jubilant that she is bound to have heard it and smiled in agreement. Glenn Miller sang Tommy Dorsey's "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Remembrances were shared by several; and the Rev. Richard Eskew, a former pastor, delivered special remarks. The Rev. Ken Boaz read the scripture, prayed and pronounced the benediction.