of Germantown, Tennessee, passed away on May 6, 2024, leaving behind a family who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by husbands, John Alfred Rutledge and Forrest Willard “Bunks” Fortune; son, John Richard Rutledge; son-in-law, Ernest Marvin Massey; grandson, Joshua Keith Massey; her parents, Johnnie & Annie Dilliard, along with siblings, Wafford Dilliard, Clifton Dilliard, Mildred Dilliard Simmons, William Dilliard and Kenneth Dilliard. She leaves behind a son, Charles William Rutledge (Sandra) of Germantown, TN, two daughters, Terri Rutledge Stone (Art) of Flippin, AR, Rosalie Rutledge Massey of Bartlett, TN and daughter-in-law, Nancy Russell Rutledge of Hernando, MS. She will be lovingly remembered by her four grandsons, John Christopher Rutledge, Michael Shayne Dowdie (Beth), Wesley Alfred Massey, and Ross Dilliard Rutledge; two granddaughters, Rheagan Rutledge Harris (Philip) and Megan Rutledge Vincent (Brandon); twelve great-grandchildren, Austin William Harris, Blake Malone Harris, Gray O’Malley Rutledge, Sawyer Ross Rutledge, Carrera Nichole Rutledge, Mackensie Rosalyn Rutledge, John Richard Michael Rutledge, Kristen Lauren Rutledge, Kaden Nathaniel Rutledge, Mason Whobrey, Dillon Horn & Madison Tarter; four great-great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.
She served as PWM of Germantown chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a member of The Red Hat Society.
Professionally, she worked for Sears Crosstown in data processing for over 30 years and has since visited the “makeover” of the Sears building into Crosstown Concourse.
For over a period of 70 years, she was a survivor of both breast and colon cancer
. . .not letting either prevent her from traveling to all 50 states with husbands, Johnny & Bunks, along with traveling companions Bill & Bertha Belle Dilliard and Dorothy & Carl Rutledge.
She loved sitting in her lawn chair under the carport admiring her yard, numerous plants & flowers and enjoyed watching her numerous cats as she continued Bunks’ love of being a cat rescuer/feeder. When the outdoor time ended, she made her way inside to watch Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune or any Home Makeover show.
Thanks to Bo Rutledge’s organization, she looked forward to the annual Rutledge Family Reunion at Bethany Church.
For over 70 years, she was a member of Germantown United Methodist Church. For last few months of her life, she felt honored and loved by the Faith Circle of GUMC who “adopted” her and sent numerous cards, flowers and in-person visits by Lauren Boswell, Chair of Faith Circle. Rosalyn made sure every visitor who came to see her knew that she had been adopted.
She herself had an “adopted” son in Johnny Pritchard, who faithfully visited her, always with flowers in hand and love in his heart.
Thanks to caregivers: Julia Wilkes, Gwen Stewart, Linda Crumpton; One You Love Homecare-Memphis. We often thought it was kind when we read that a family listed the “caregivers” in an obituary, but now we know firsthand the impact they have in allowing a loved one to remain in their own home.
Thanks to the entire Hope Hospice team, specifically but not limited to, Tiarra, Charlene, Olympia, Rachel, and Rev. Bobby. A team of selfless, loving, and caring people, ever mindful of her modesty and dignity.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Colon Cancer Alliance, Germantown United Methodist Church or Hope Hospice & Palliative Care.
Date & Place of Services & Interment
Saturday, May 18, 2024 • 10am Visitation • 11am Service
Germantown United Methodist Church
Germantown, TN
Bethlehem Cemetery • Moscow, TN
