Lennie Faye Walker Rutledge, 90, of Bridge City, passed away on Thursday, November 4, at her home, following a long illness.
Mrs. Rutledge was born in Hamlin, Texas on November 5, 1919, to Robert Emmet Hayes Walker and Mary Etta Greenway Walker. She grew up in Plainview, Texas, and attended Wayland Baptist College and graduated from West Texas State. Upon graduation, she began a 32 year career as a public school teacher, eventually teaching in several school districts across the state, including Orangefield and Bridge City.
During World War II she served her country as a Secretary for the Defense Department in Washington, DC. In 1947, she married Eugene Rutledge of Crystal City, Texas, who had been a Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps.
Moving to Bridge City in 1960, she became a member of First Baptist Church, the Business and Professional Women's Club, and the Harvest Club, among many others.
She was a hunter, a quilter and a Lamar Women's Basketball fanatic. She did beautiful needlework and loved to laugh.
After retiring from Corrigan ISD in 1980, she divided her time between a home in south Texas, where she hosted many hunters, and her home in Bridge City.
Mrs. Rutledge was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Preston and Charles; a son, Preston Evans Rutledge, and her son-in-law, Willie Sanders.
She is survived by her siblings, Bruce Walker and Lucy Nall of Plainview, Texas, and Winnie Moore and Helen Walker of Lubbock. She is also survived by her children, Carol Sanders of Brackettville, Texas; Calvin Rutledge and his wife, Dee, of Orange; Winnie Rutledge of Austin; and David Rutledge and his wife, Rebecca, of Bridge City.
Also left to cherish her memory are seven granddaughters, one grandson, eleven great-grandchildren, and two great great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City, with Pastor Bob Boone officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bridge City.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Saturday at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Matt Hagen, Randy Wheat, Jody Breaux, Chad Taylor, Dr. Marty Rutledge, and Richard Walker. Honorary pallbearers are Tom Perry; Gene Hildalgo; Anthony Page; Joe Raburn.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to her caregivers Brenda Teal and Kay Hervey.
If so desired, donations may be made to American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.