Rebecca Rutherford

Bluefield, VA- Rebecca Damewood Rutherford, 82 of Bluefield, VA was called to be with the Lord on Monday March 21, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born August 1, 1928 in Princeton, WV, she was the daughter of the late George Pearis and Lillian Lorraine Damewood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and best friend of 55 years, William J. Rutherford; one son Roger Rhea Rutherford; sister Nancy Phipps and brother-in-law Dale Phipps. Mrs. Rutherford was a faithful member of Graham Presbyterian Church and a current member of Memorial Baptist Church of Bluefield, VA, where she served as a member of the Prayer Group and Nursing Home Ministry and was a supporter of the Radio Ministry. Mrs. Rutherford was a graduate of McLain's Business College and she received a catering certification through the Cumberland Mountain Community Services. She was a loving wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was previously employed by the Tazewell County School System as a cafeteria worker at Logan Street School and Westminster Presbyterian Church in food service, where she will be remembered for her great homemade rolls. She enjoyed sharing her cooking and baking skills and opening her home to visitors. She loved her family, spending time with friends and participating in the ministries of the Church. Survivors include two daughters, Nora Bailey of Bluefield, VA and Patricia Harton of Bluefield; one son, William C. Rutherford of Bluefield, VA; four grandchildren, Cindy Sparks and husband Shaun of Waynesboro, VA; Michael Rutherford of Roanoke, VA; Lara Rutherford of Hinton, WV; and Chris Harton of Bluefield; two great-granddaughters Raegan and Kellan Sparks; two brothers George Damewood and wife Loretta of Warrenton, VA and Sam Damewood and wife Millie of Lashmeet, WV; and sisters-in-law Harriet Poulos and Jane Rutherford; bothers-in-law Carl Rutherford and Henry McCauley; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday March 23, 2011 at Memorial Baptist Church, 401 Virginia Avenue, Bluefield, VA with Pastor Lacy Brooks and Dr. Allen Hammond officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA. Pallbearers will be Michael Rutherford, Chris Harton, Shaun Sparks, Elwood Porshia, Gary Lampert and Tom Adkins. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home, Bluefield, WV on Tuesday March 22, 2011from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Union Mission, 2203 Bluefield Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Rebecca Damewood Rutherford.

Rebecca Rutherford

August 1, 1928 - March 21, 2011