Melissa Gayle Rutledge

Born in Atlanta, GA on September 19, 1965, Melissa was a radiating beacon of light and life for her family and friends. Her mission in life was to uplift those around her through her unyielding encouragement and laughter. As a long-time church nursery caregiver, a special education teaching assistant, and an instructor with Woodright Industries, she lived to protect and nurture those who often could not advocate for themselves.

Melissa loved the Lord; her husband; her children; being a “Mimi” to 7 grandchildren; her church family; spending time outside on a sunny day; and her pets.

Melissa was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Mildred Bell; her siblings, Stanley Tallman, Alan Tallman, Rick Tallman, and Ronnie Tallman Jr.; and pet, Snookie.

Melissa is survived by her ever-loving and supportive husband, Roy Rutledge of White, GA; mother, Mary Ann (Ronald) Tallman of Jackson, GA; children, Mary Beth Ross (Chris) West of Knoxville, TN, Josh (Lakin) Ross of Cartersville, GA, and Kelly (Chris) Melton of Cartersville, GA; 7 beautiful grandchildren, Joshua, Ellie, and Sadie Ross of Cartersville, GA, Hunter Carter of Cartersville, GA, and Jacob, Hailey, and Jeremy Melton of Cartersville, GA; siblings, Timothy (Michelle) Tallman of Brian, TX, Greg (Dixie) Tallman of Jackson, GA, Robbie Tallman of Senoia, GA, and Teresa Brooks of Hiram, GA; her adored pets, Myles and Millie; many nieces and nephews; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Schlicht officiating. The interment will follow in White Cemetery, White, GA with Glen Kimbrel, Joey Deems, Chris Melton, Chris West, Greg Tallman and Justin Tallman serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Owen Funeral Home.

The family would like to extend thanks to some of her close friends, Janice Parker, Pam Kimbrel, and Janice Jacobs; all of Melissa’s White United Methodist Church family; the Kaiser Palliative Care Team; and the Bristol Hospice Team’s nurse, Suzanne Combs. Her friends, her church, and the hospice medical care team provided much kindness and comfort to Melissa in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the White United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 37 3411 Highway 411 White, GA 30184 or to the Organization for Autism Research, https://researchautism.org/.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to sign the on-line register. Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Dr. Cartersville, GA has charge of the arrangements.