Willia Mae Rutledge

Willia Mae Rutledge, age 88, of Mount Ida, passed away September 19, 2016 at the Montgomery County Nursing Home. She was born December 6, 1927, to the late Ted and Maye Bates in Black Springs, Ark. Willia Mae is preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert (Bob) Rutledge; son Terry Rutledge; sisters: Elsie (Bates) Hickey, Odell (Bates) Hicks; and brother James Charles Bates. Survivors include: son Perry Rutledge; grandchildren: Stormy Cooper (Rex), Tommy Rutledge (Jessica), Brady Rutledge, and Cougar Rutledge; great-grandchildren: Corbin Cooper, Addie Cooper, Lilly Copper and Kylee Rutledge. Bob and Willia Mae both attended school at Norman; she graduated in 1945. Bob and Willia Mae married December 24, 1944 in Norman, Ark., and were married for over 63 years. After high school, Willia Mae graduated Beauty College in Santa Rosa, Calif., in 1949. She attended Mount Ida Assembly of God Church, and Faith Tabernacle Church, where she was secretary-treasurer. Willia Mae and Bob moved to Mount Ida in 1964, after living in California for 15 years. It was then they began Bob's Food City, which they owned and operated for over 40 years. Bob's Food City has become a community landmark that is proudly still family owned. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 6-8 p.m. at Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 10 a.m., at Black Springs Cemetery in Norman, Ark. Honorary Pallbearers: Larry Hicks, Gary Bates, Clay Bates, Doug Rutledge, Larry Rutledge and Ronald Rutledge. Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida, Ark. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com.