Reverend Derry Lee Rutherford

Reverend Derry Lee Rutherford, 83, entered into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC. He was born in Newberry, SC, on August 7, 1936. Reverend Derry Rutherford was the third son of thirteen children to the late Deacon Johnny Rutherford of New Enoree Baptist Church and the late Sister Mary Alston Rutherford of Fellowship Baptist Church. He was born in the Pomaria section of Newberry County. He attended elementary and high school in Pomaria, and graduated from Gallman High School in Newberry, in 1955. He attended Benedict College in Columbia, for two years and was drafted into the Army in 1959. While serving in the Army, he was the recipient of several awards; the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, three Vietnam Service Medals, three NCO Professional Development Ribbons, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, a Drill Sergeant Badge, a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman, an Infantryman Badge, and a Driver and Mechanic Badge. In June, 1960, he married the former Elizabeth Counts of Pomaria, and this marriage was blessed with three children, Michelle, Kevin and Darris. Reverend Rutherford was a born-again Christian who received Christ in November, 1968, and was baptized at Fellowship Baptist Church in May, 1969. Reverend Rutherford received his calling and was licensed to preach the gospel in 1983. Reverend Rutherford was ordained into the ministry in February, 1996, and received his Bachelor of Theology Degree from Colonial Christian Seminary and College, West Columbia, SC, in May, 1996. He completed graduate studies and received his Masters of Theology Degree from International Community Seminary and College, West Columbia, SC, in May, 1998. He served as Pastor’s Assistant at Fellowship Baptist Church, Pomaria, SC, and was a member of the Ministerial Staff from International Seminary that brings the Gospel to churches and groups as follows; his home church, Fellowship Baptist Church, Pomaria, SC; New Enoree Association, Newberry County; Fellowship’s Baptist Church Father’s Day; St. Mark A.M.E.; Refreshing Springs Community Church International Community Seminary, West Columbia, SC; Main Chapel, Fort Jackson, SC; Morris Village, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, State of SC; to the homeless of Columbia, SC, and at Second Nazarath Baptist Church, Columbia, SC. He was the pastor of River of Life Outreach Ministries for a number of years and also a member of the Sons of Aid Society Lodge #46. His brothers, Willie Lee Rutherford, Johnnie Copeland Rutherford, Deacon Joe Louis Rutherford, Theodore Roosevelt Rutherford, Raymond Charles Rutherford and George Heyward Rutherford; sister, Mattie Pearl Rutherford Harris; nephew, Johnnie Calvin Rutherford; and sisters-in-law, Eva Mae Rutherford and Bernice Lee Rutherford, preceded him to Heaven. Those who celebrate his life and cherish precious and loving memories include his wife of sixty years, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Rutherford, of the home; two sons, Kevin B. Rutherford (Tia) of the home and Darris Rutherford of Columbia, SC; one daughter, Michelle R. Reeves of Columbia, SC; six grandchildren, Stephen Rutherford, Keturah Rutherford, Belicia Rutherford, Destiny Rutherford, Rashonda Reeves and Asa Reeves; three brothers, Jeffie A. Rutherford of Pomaria, SC, David L. Rutherford (Sandra) of Newberry, SC, and Donald Lee Rutherford (Elizabeth) of Prosperity, SC; two sisters, Mary R. Chapman of Columbia, SC, and Bessie R. Bookman (Richard) of Newberry, SC; three sisters-in-law, Shirley Rutherford, Annie Mae Rutherford and Glenise Rutherford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will recieve friends at the home, 7823 Turnbridge Lane, Columbia, SC.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Pomaria, SC.

Burial with Military honors will be held 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2019 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC.

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