Funeral services for Robert Julian Rutledge, Sr. will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ron Leonard and Brother Roy Dabbs officiating. Burial will be in Jones Chapel Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Rutledge, 76, of Meridian, died January 14, 2010 at his residence. He was born in Meridian, Mississippi on November 19, 1933. Survivors include his wife, Faye A. Thompson Rutledge, daughter, Debbie Gabriel and her husband, Randy, of Meridian, Son, Robert J. Rutledge, Jr. (Bobby), and his wife Teresa, of Gasden, AL, daughter, Janna Cook and her husband, Bryan, of Covington, LA, stepchildren, Vickie Skinner, and her husband, Tim, of Meridian, Lisa Hancock, and her husband, Jeff, of Moundsville, W.V., and Ron Thompson , of Meridian, Grandchildren, Erin Skinner, Casey and Haley Rutledge, Logan and Garrett Cook, brother, Grady Rutledge, and his wife, Josephine, of Demopolis, AL, Sister-in-law, Janice Rutledge, of Whynot, and several nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren, Christopher and Corey Skinner, Joshua, Caleb, and Noah Hancock, and great-grandchild, Gabe Skinner, Special nephew, Larry Fountain, of Meridian, special "adopted grandson", Brian Creel, USAF, Arlington, VA, . Also, his beloved dog, Beaux. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Eva Rutledge, and his brother James Rutledge. Mr. Rutledge was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. He attended Mississippi State University with an expanded career as a civil engineer in Meridian and Jackson, where he served as State Building Inspector under Governor William Winter. Most recently, since his retirement, he served part-time as baliff for Clarke County Justice Court. Mr. Rutledge was a member of Jones Chapel Church of God. He was also a member of Calvary Masonic Lodge #0554, where he served as Master for the past year before his death. He was also a member of Wilson Masonic Lodge #0072, Hamasa Shrine, Moose Lodge, VFW, and American Legion. He will be remembered most as a loving husband, father and grandfather. His love of life, friends, family, and church was so evident by his graciousness and generosity. He never met a stranger and loved to laugh with a sense of humor that was with him until the end. His favorite hobby was his garden. Many people in the community were blessed by his generosity with his crops, including everybody's favorite homemade pickles. Grateful hearts extend a thank you to Amedysis Home Health and Sta-Home Hospice, and most especially, nurse and friend, Ann Malone. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jones Chapel Church of God Family Life Center, Sta-Home Hospice Foundation, and Red Cross for Haitian relief. Pallbearers will be Randy Gabriel, Bryan Cook, Larry Fountain, Ron Thompson, Christopher Skinner, and Corey Skinner. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Calvary Masonic Lodge #0554 and Wilson Masonic Lodge #0072. Visitation will be held Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.
