Joyce Sweatt Rutherford, 82 years of age, died peacefully in Knoxville, on Saturday, September 30, 2017 with her children by her side. She is survived by her sister Carol Waller, her children, Cynthia Marie White, David Clyde Rutherford, Tracy Diane Kitts, and Terri Leigh Lindsay; her grandchildren, Lindsey White Clark, Heather White Fox, Coleman David Lindsay, Kayla Marie Kitts, Meghan Leigh Lindsay, Brendan Gilbert Lindsay, Emily Nicole Kitts, Maya Jasmin Rutherford, and Julia Kristine Rutherford, and great- grandchildren, Cole Wayne Fox, Stella Marie Fox, Emersyn Kate Clark, and William Neyland Clark. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Harold Coleman Rutherford, and her parents Beulah and O.C. Sweatt. Joyce was born in Columbiana, Alabama on May 16, 1935, and raised in Birmingham, Alabama until her marriage to Harold in 1954. They lived in several different cities and states, ultimately settling in Knoxville to raise their family. Joyce enjoyed her work as an administrative assistant for both Knoxville City Schools and Knox County Schools until her retirement in the 1980’s. She and her husband, Harold, were long time members of Fountain City Methodist Church. Joyce enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during her retirement years. She especially looked forward to bringing the family together during the holidays for home-cooked meals. As the grandchildren got older, Joyce and Harold moved to Florida where they maintained a house at the beach, welcoming family visits and vacations. Both Joyce and Harold returned to Knoxville to be with family in 2014. Joyce’s family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 on Monday, October 2, 2017, at Berry-Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 West Adair Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee. Interment and graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in Lynnhurst Cemetery. Please visit www.berrylynnhurst.com to leave a condolence for the family.
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