Frances Rutledge

FRANCES CAROLINE RUTLEDGE

Age 79 of Wilmington, passed away Friday March 10, 2006 at Morris Community Hospital.

Born May 14, 1926 in Ft. Meade, Florida, Frances was a daughter of the late Edward and Maude (Lightsey) Jones. Frances was a graduate of Wilmington High School and attended Wesleyan University. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington, member of the Wilmington Garden Club and a Will County 4-H (Willing Workers) Leader. Frances was an accomplished artist and belonged to the Bartow Florida Artists League. She loved flowers and gardening and was a former designer with The Flower Loft in Wilmington.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, William; one son Kent of Hickory, Kentucky and one daughter Karen (Rich) Mann of Athens, Illinois. (7) Grandchildren: Kent and Jason Rutledge and Kirsten (Delyn) Hill, Ryan (Amy) Mann, Matthew Mann, Julie Mann and Caroline Mann. (13) Great Grandchildren; one brother Charles (Janice) Jones and one sister Penny (Jack) Austin, both of Florida and one special niece Stacey (Henry) Weidling and their children: Greg, Sara, Tara and Lyndsay all of Wilmington, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Robert.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 13, 2006 from 9:00AM until time of funeral service 10:30AM at the First United Methodist Church, 401 E. Kahler Road in Wilmington, (60481). Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca and Rev. Shirley Pulgar-Hughes will officiate and interment will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Preferred memorial may be made as gifts in Frances' memory to the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington.