Virginia Sue Rutland, of the New Union Community in Columbia, Mississippi, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the age of 64. She was raised in Gilbertown, Alabama and has been a resident of Marion County since 1999 where she was a member of New Union Missionary Baptist Church. Known as Maw Maw to everyone, Virginia Sue loved and loved on every child that came through her door. She knew just how to provide comfort to anyone who was hurting. She was adventurous and enjoyed ATV trail riding with her family. She also enjoyed gardening and flowers and loved life. Virginia Sue’s greatest pleasure came from making a home for her family and she will be remembered for being a kind, giving, loving, understanding, big hearted Maw Maw to all who crossed her path.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Abston and her mother, Katherine Halstead. Virginia Sue is survived by her husband, Howard Rutland; three daughters, Vanessa Smith (Marcus), DeLaina Louge (Ben), and Hannah Rutland (Jared Dow); a son Jayce Godwin (Jessica Williams); two sisters, Kathy Abston-Brooks (Marc) and Kharissa Bryant (Josh); two brothers, James Thomas Abston and Brian Abston (Danielle); and nine grandchildren, Trevarly Smith, Tristan Smith, Maggie Louge, Olivia Louge, Neil Louge, Landyn Rutland, Ameylia Rutland, Emmelyn Godwin, and Koyden Godwin.
There will be a visitation for Virginia Sue at New Union Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. The funeral service, officiated by Brother Darrin Web, will take place at the church on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10:00am. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery assisted by Cody Rutland, David Schilling, Brian Abston, Jeremy Tolar, Eric Turnage, Brian Temples, and Brandon Todd serving as pallbearers.
