Horace Gene Rutledge, 81, of Florence, Ala., known to friends and family as “Little Bubba,” passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 12, 2014, after an extended illness. He was born in Sheffield, Ala. and was a graduate of Sheffield High School. He retired from Reynolds Metals Company and was a member of Wood Avenue Church of Christ.
He and his wife, Elaine, loved traveling with and supporting the University of Alabama football team. He also enjoyed playing golf with his close friend, Duck Clanton, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hayes Rutledge (father) and Jessie Looney Rutledge (mother); brother, Henry Hayes Rutledge; and sisters, Hilda Johnson, Harriet Robbins, and Helen White.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris Elaine (Blackburn) Rutledge, of Florence, Ala.; son, Robin Carey Rutledge and wife, Amy Clemmons Rutledge, of Killen; grandchildren, Chad and Haley Morgan, Adam and Ashley Rutledge, and Chris and Betsy Campbell; great-grandchildren, Mary Ella, Sam and Emma Kate Morgan, Gracie Rutledge, and Owen Campbell; his brothers, Homer Rutledge and wife, Grace, and Herman Rutledge and wife, Nadene; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to especially thank Dr. William Hobbs and his nurse, Christy, of Florence Medical Associates, for the care they provided. They would also like to thank nurses Melinda and Amy, of North Alabama Hospice services, for the love and compassion they showed Bubba during his illness.
Funeral services will be held at Wood Avenue Church of Christ today. Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. with the funeral service at 2 p.m. The burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Mars Hill Bible School.
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BUBBA WILL BE MISSED.HE AND “DUCK” STOOD IN THE HALLWAY AT WOOD AVENUE PLANNING THEIR NEXT GOLF TRIP..BOTH WERE GOOD CHRISTIAN MEN..LOVE,,BOBBY AND BEVERLY WATKINS.