Ann Rutledge Carnes passed away peacefully at home on Saturday evening, January 2, 2016 with family members at her side, following a brief illness. Ann was born on October 16, 1930, to Harris W. and Willie Mae Rutledge, and grew up on the family farm near Collierville, Tennessee. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in March, 2015 by her husband of 63 years, the Reverend Dr. Joseph Sydney “Syd” Carnes, as well as by two brothers, T. Carl Rutledge and M. Ray Rutledge. She is survived by her four children, Jane (Brian McDuffie), Jay (Karen), James (Clark Hantzmon), and John (Shelli), along with six grandchildren (whom she adored), as well as by her brother, J. Royce Rutledge (Joyce), and numerous nephews and nieces.
Ann steadfastly and selflessly served as a minister’s wife, alongside Syd, during her adult life. Although she first met Syd at a church summer camp when they were both in high school (she was, “unimpressed”), they reconnected some years later when Syd became the minister at Ann’s home church, Bethany Christian Church (Eads, TN), and they loved to say that it was the classic tale of the minister running away with a member of the choir. Together, they faithfully served 9 churches (Bethany Christian Church, Eads, TN; Taylor Memorial, Memphis, TN; First Christian, Covington, TN; Central Christian, Waco, TX; First Christian, Clarksville, TX; First Christian, Eugene, OR; First Christian, Nampa, ID; Lakeview Christian, Dallas, TX; and Oak Cliff Christian, Dallas, TX), as well as 14 interim ministries after Syd’s, “retirement”, and Ann was very active in her support and leadership activities in the churches and associated organizations, including the Christian Women’s Fellowship, TCU Ministers’ Wives Club, and serving a term as president of the Dallas Area Association of Christian Churches. A constant presence in the choir loft of every church served, Ann would keep an eagle eye on her children, and they each knew, “the look” that warned them of consequences to come for bad behavior in church.
Ann and Syd loved to travel, and they escorted hundreds of people on dozens of church-sponsored trips across the United States and around the world, frequently taking bibles with them to distribute to individuals in countries (e.g., Russia, China) where access to bibles was difficult, and Ann was proud to have visited all 50 states and to have set foot on all 7 continents. Ann also enjoyed handicrafts, and was frequently either working on a quilt, knitting a blanket, or crocheting various items for friends, family, and neighbors. She was especially proud of having very recently completed a, “log cabin” quilt, and also a knitted baby blanket for her soon-to-be born (and first) great-grandchild.
The family wishes to thank Afra Ardis and Jackie Smith (Visiting Angels), Loretta Starkes and Joyce Green (Charlottesville, Virginia), as well as numerous friends, neighbors, and family members for their care of Ann and Syd during their respective illnesses over the past year.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lord’s Acre Fund at Bethany Christian Church (http://www.bethanydisciples.org/), to Bethany Cemetery (http://www.oldbethanycemetery.org/), to Hospice of the Piedmont (http://www.hopva.org/donate-now/), or Crossroads Hospice (https://crhcf.org/Donate/). Online condolences may be made at www.colliervillefuneral.com
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