Deacon Joe Lewis Rutherford

Deacon Joe Lewis Rutherford was born on June 9, 1941, in Newberry, SC, to the late Deacon Johnny Henry Rutherford and the late Mary Lizzie Alston-Rutherford. He transitioned peacefully into Eternal Rest on Friday, August 10, 2018.

Joe became a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and accepted Christ into his life at an early age, where he also became an ordained deacon in 1973, under Reverend Theodore Roosevelt Robinson.

He received his education in the public schools of Newberry County School District attending Rutherford School, which was also referred to as Fairview School, Hope School and Garmany School. He graduated from Gallman High School, Class of 1961. At Gallman High School, Joe was awarded for his expertise in Industrial Arts. He was a bus driver for the Newberry County District School for many years and retired as a self-employed contract hauler in 2013.

Joe was President of the Sons of Aid Society Lodge # 60 and served on the Sons of Aid Finance Committee.

Four brothers, Willie Lee Rutherford, Johnnie Copeland Rutherford, Theodore Roosevelt Rutherford and Raymond Charles Rutherford, Sr.; one sister, Mattie Pearl Rutherford Harris; two sisters-in-law, Bennie G. Rutherford and Eva R. Rutherford; two brothers-in-law, Buddy Jones and Johnnie Earl Chapman; and one nephew Johnnie Calvin Rutherford, preceded him to Heaven.

Those who celebrate his life and cherish loving memories include his devoted wife, Shirley B. Rutherford; son, reared in the home, Zachary Boyd (Tawanda); three grandchildren, Zoe Boyd, Zackey Boyd and Undriana M. Williams; one greatgrandchild, Jamari Eigner; brothers, Reverend Derry L. Rutherford (Elizabeth C.) of Columbia, SC, Retired Sergeant Major Jeffie A. Rutherford of Pomaria, SC, David L. Rutherford (Sandra) and George H. Rutherford (Annie Mae) of Newberry, SC, and Donald L. Rutherford (Elizabeth B.) of Prosperity, SC; sisters, Mary R. Chapman of Columbia, SC, and Bessie R. Bookman (Richard) of Newberry, SC; two brothers-in-law, Willie R. Boyd (Arnetta) of Prosperity, SC, and James M. Boyd of Silverstreet, SC; sisters-in-law, Glenise Rutherford, Mattie P. Williams, Bonnie F. Holley (Bernard) all of Newberry, SC, Delores Jones, Martha A. Boyd and Annette Kinsler (Robert) all of Prosperity, SC, and Bertha Kessler (Collins) of Chapin, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving relatives and devoted friends.

The family will receive friends at the home (11962 US Hwy 176, Pomaria, SC).

Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1501 College Street, Newberry, SC. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens.

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