Jo Rutledge

Jo Karen Jodie Rutledge was called home by our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from her residence following a brief battle with lung cancer. Mrs. Rutledge was born August 9, 1940, at Turkey Track Ranch, to Son Huffmon and Cleo Adams Huffmon. She completed 11 years of education and is survived by four siblings Myrna Landrie and husband Billy of Artesia, N.M., Cherry Carrell and husband Ray of Alamogordo, N.M., Elton Huffmon and wife Kay of Roswell, N.M., Onnie Huffmon and wife Karen of Alamogordo, and several nieces and nephews. Her children include Billibob A. Lewis of Artesia, Becky Carper and husband Roger of Artesia, Bobbie Jo Chavez and life partner Chris Garcia of Artesia; step-son Elvis Rutledge of Hobbs, N.M.; step-daughters Marla Leary of Hobbs, and Kelli Patterson of Alamogordo. She was blessed with four grandchildren to whom she referred to as her darlings Stephanie Rosa, Aaron Carper, Haylee and Kristen Chavez; and two great-grandchildren Diegen and Taylon Rosa. Jodie enjoyed bartending at Sams Place and Pistol Petes back in her younger years. She also enjoyed baking and cooking for those special people in her life including four years she spent cooking at the Moose Lodge where she was a member. Her smile could light up a room and she never met a stranger. Jodies friends were countless and she never turned her back on them and she knew that in a heartbeat they would be there for her. On October 23, 1975 she married Clarence Marvin Rutledge in Juarez, Mexico. He preceded her in death on November 7, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her daddy Son Huffmon, her step-dad Oliver Adams,and very dear friends. They made their home here in Artesia. Every year friends and family would gather for the great hunting trips and the stories that came back from them are priceless. At Jodies request there will be no services only a Celebration of Her Life and Spirit at the Moose Lodge on January 9, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends are requested to come and share their memories of her. Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake You. Hebrews 13:5