Jeanette Rutledge

Graveside services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22 at the Twin Oaks Memorial Park for Jeanette Joan Rutledge.

Mrs. Rutledge, 83, passed away from this life on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Artesia General Hospital.

Jeanette was born March 23, 1933 in Carlsbad, New Mexico; the daughter of Otho and Aretta (Drake) Lunsford. Jeanette lost her hearing at the age of 3 years old, but that didn't stop her zest for life nor did it curb her feisty personality that her family lovingly remembers.

On June 30, 1951 she married the love of her life, Thomas LeRoy Rutledge. Jeanette enjoyed the "rooster fights" alongside her husband for many years; she even handled some roosters herself and was called the "powder puff queen" due to her roosters fighting in the Powder Puff Derby. Family and holiday gatherings around her home-cooked meals are fondly remembered by all. Her collections of magnets, trolls and anything "BINGO" will always be part of our memories of her. She had a big heart and always an open door to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren - she loved her family. Her beautiful blue eyes seemed to twinkle when she smiled. She was loved in the community by many and especially her friends at the Artesia Daily Press.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Mary Rutledge, husband Thomas LeRoy Rutledge, brother Gerald Lunsford, 1 grandchild and 4 great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters Sherry Wyatt of Artesia, Angela Alvarez of Artesia and Priscilla Rutledge of Artesia; her son Donnie Rutledge and wife Melissa of Artesia; her sisters Maxine Stevens and husband Wendall of Dallas, TX and Eva Combs and late husband Junior of Santa Ynez, CA; 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Service

Graveside

Twin Oaks Memorial Park
59 Lake Arthur Highway
Artesia, NM  88210
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
10:00 a.m.