Mark Richard Rutherford, 63, of Athens, passed away on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at Maury Medical Regional Center. Mr. Rutherford was born on August 29th, 1962, in Orlando, Florida, to John and Marilyn (Rutherford) Thompson.
Mr. Rutherford is survived by his wife, Joan Rutherford; daughter, Savilla Rutherford (Mike); son, Chris Rutherford (Brianna); brothers, Dewayne Thompson (Charlotte) and Donald Rutherford (Tina); sister, Connie Sanders (Robert), grandchildren, Keegan Alexander, Malachi Alexander, Jeremiah Alexander, and Brantley Moran; nephew, Brandon Patterson (Brittany); and many other grandchildren and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Marilyn Thompson; daughter, Courtney Rutherford; and brother, Stanely Salis.
A funeral service for Mr. Rutherford will be Thursday, January 29th, 2026, at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home, at 2:00 p.m., with Bro. Doug Caldwell officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 28th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Justin Rutherford, Mike Shaw, Hunter Thompson, Johnathan Thompson, Jamie Thompson, Keegan Alexander, and Randan Thompson. Burial will be at Gatlin Cemetery.
Mark was strong-willed and stubborn. He was a hard worker and loved his family. He worked as a trucker for over forty years. He loved motorcycles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 was his favorite verse. Mark loved the Lord and had a relationship with Him. He will be deeply missed.
