John Thomas Rutland Sr.

John Thomas Rutland Sr. was born on February 27, 1934 to the parentage of the late Rev. Lonnie Sr. and Rosa Lea Rutland. He was the 5th of 11 children. (preceded in death by his brother: Lonnie Rutland, Jr and sister: Frances Walker) He was educated in Bibb County at the Hudson High School. At a early age he joined the Bloomfield Missionary Baptist Church. He Later served in the U.S. Army.

On April 5th 1959, he was married to Sarah Ruth Blackmon. He was a former employee of Robins Air Force Base, and Superintendant of Macon Memorial Park Cemetery for over forty years. He was currently employed by Wilbert Vault Company. He was a hard working man that took care of his family.

He was treasurer of the Raymond Williams Chapter 50 of the Disabled American Veterans and Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He loved and worked faithfully in both of these organizations.

John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Sarah Blackmon Rutland; three sons: Retired (MSGT) Earl H. (Marva) Blackmon Sr. of Beauford, SC, Michael J. (Michelle) Gray and John T. (Melanie) Rutland of Macon, Georgia; two daughters; Evangelist Debra (Walter) Hill and Rose M. Fryer of Macon, Georgia; six sisters: Rosa Mae (Rev. L.E.) Ross and Millie Ross both of Macon; Ella Cabiness of Dry Branch, GA, Ada Marshall of Miami, FL, Mamie Hill of West Palm Beach, FL, and Margie Mallory of Lawrenceville, GA; two brothers: Leroy (Annie) Rutland of Lizella, GA and Robert W. (Bennie) Rutland, Sr. of Lake City, FL

12 grandchildren: LaTosha Hill, LaQuasha Sanford, Audrey Fryer, LaTonya Hill, Tiffany Bullard, Amanda Blackmon, Earl Blackmon, Jr., Christopher Gray, Michaela Gray, John Rutland, III, Ariana Rutland, and London (Lulu) Ramsbottom; six great-grandchildren: Damion Fryer, NaKayia Greene, Dominique Douglas, Deon Douglas, Shykemia Threatt, and Ni`Aira Dawson; a host of other nieces, nephews, cousin and friends.