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In loving memory

Visitation

Monday, February 25, 2019, 1 hour prior to service at First Baptist Church Bells, 105 S. Pecan St, Bells, Texas 75414

Funeral Service

Monday, February 25, 2019, 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church Bells, 105 S. Pecan St, Bells, Texas 75414

Interment

Oak Hill Cemetery, Whitewright, Texas

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26 comments

Mary Frances (Russell) Rutledge

Mary Frances (Russell) Rutledge

October 20, 1941 - February 19, 2019

Mary Frances (Russell) Rutledge passed away February 19, 2019 at the age of 77. She was born October 20, 1941 to Arthur Fred Russell and Mary Pearl (Grissom) Russell in Whitewright, Texas. Frances married Obie Lee Rutledge on August 17, 1963 in Sedalia, Texas. They shared fifty-six years together before her passing.

Frances was a superb teacher who enjoyed a thirty-one-year career in three school districts, Denison, Blue Ridge, and twenty-six years at Bells ISD as a fourth-grade teacher. She was a highly educated woman. Frances graduated from Van Alstyne High School in 1960, she then continued her education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree and finally rounded out her schooling at East Texas State University where she graduated with a master’s in education. She taught and influenced thousands of students. Mrs. Rutledge was respected, admired and loved by her students. She maintained a strict classroom structure and schedule but was tender enough to see the hurts and needs of a troubled student. In retirement, she became the “Cookie Lady” preparing cookies for the youth at First Baptist Church Bells each Wednesday. She was a member of the TSTA, TRTA, Bells Retired Teachers and The Birthday Group. She thoroughly enjoyed going to weekend estate sales with her niece Carolyn. She often volunteered helping where she saw the need. Frances was a classy lady who loved to learn and loved to teach. She was a loving wife, committed educator and true friend. Frances will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-six years Obie Rutledge of Bells, Texas; sister-in-law Doris Russell of Grand Prairie, Texas; sister-in-law Donna Russell of Whitesboro, Texas; sister-in-law Mollie Jo Hyepock of Richardson, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews along with a host of extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents A.F. “Stump” and Mary (Grissom) Russell; brothers, Rev. D. Rudalph Russell, H. Birt Russell, Jack Russell and Joe R. Russell; sister, Guana Russell Pierson; nephew Gary W. Russell and great nephew Carl A. Pierson.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2019 at First Baptist Church Bells, 105 S. Pecan St, Bells, Texas 75414. A visitation will begin one hour before the service. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Whitewright, Texas.

26 Guestbook

  1. Curtiss and Raylene
    Curtiss and Raylene on February 22, 2019 at 4:13 PM

    Obie and family,
    So sorry for your loss. She was a very good friend.

    Reply
  2. David &Tammy Snow
    David &Tammy Snow on February 22, 2019 at 11:20 PM

    So sorry for your loss prayers and God Bless!

    Reply
    • Danna Heath Donahue
      Danna Heath Donahue on February 26, 2019 at 5:15 AM

      Mrs. Rutledge was an unforgettable person in many ways for me through the years. She was my 4th grade long ago. She was a friend to my sweet Momma and then became a dear part of my adult life. She always asked how our lives were going with such love and care just as she did when we were in her class. My heart truly aches for your family’s loss and yet joyful for heaven’s gain. What a beautiful lady of grace and dignity. One that I personally will never forget. I love you Mrs. Rutledge.

      Reply
  3. Bob & June Gail Purdom
    Bob & June Gail Purdom on February 23, 2019 at 2:40 AM

    Our sincere Sympathy. Bob & I are both Heartbroken. Obie & Francis has always meant so Much to Us. Prayers for Obie & Family.

    Reply
    • Michael Radican
      Michael Radican on February 26, 2019 at 11:33 PM

      So sorry for your loss!! Our prayers are with you.

      Reply
  4. Joshua White
    Joshua White on February 23, 2019 at 4:50 AM

    She was my favorite teacher, and inspired me to become a teacher myself.

    Reply
  5. Jacque Martin
    Jacque Martin on February 23, 2019 at 12:07 PM

    She was a beautiful lady inside and out.
    I will truly miss her !!

    Reply
  6. Woodye Mercer
    Woodye Mercer on February 23, 2019 at 1:16 PM

    So very sorry for your loss. She was a sweet lady and will be missed

    Reply
  7. Belenda Carter Frailicks
    Belenda Carter Frailicks on February 23, 2019 at 1:55 PM

    Mrs. Rutledge was a professional and caring teacher. She was one of the wonderful teachers in Bells that inspired me to want to become an educator. When I became a young teacher in Bells, she was a great mentor and friend to me, but I could never bring myself to call her Frances like the others in the lounge did. She was always Mrs, Rutledge to me- so classy. She was a model teacher –

    Reply
  8. Kenny and Sharon Washburn
    Kenny and Sharon Washburn on February 23, 2019 at 4:06 PM

    So sorry. She was definitely a special person.

    Reply
  9. Elaine Ramsey Sinor
    Elaine Ramsey Sinor on February 23, 2019 at 4:53 PM

    Frances was a classy lady with a kind and loving heart. She lived “down the street” from our home place and when my Mother was in the nursing home, Frances visited many times and attended many of Mother’s Birthday parties
    I will always cherish her for that! She always had a smile on her pretty face! Gone but never forgotten!

    Reply
  10. Deanne Judd
    Deanne Judd on February 23, 2019 at 7:00 PM

    Frances was the sweetest woman ever. So sad. She willbe truly missed.
    Deanne Judd

    Reply
  11. Angela ballard stewart
    Angela ballard stewart on February 23, 2019 at 7:46 PM

    She was a wonderful loving lady she will be missed love and prayers for all

    Reply
  12. Kristy and Garth Glidewell
    Kristy and Garth Glidewell on February 23, 2019 at 10:36 PM

    Our prayers are with the family. We have lost an amazing teacher and friend.

    Reply
  13. Jason Ford
    Jason Ford on February 24, 2019 at 12:52 AM

    Obie,

    So sorry for your loss. Prayers of comfort for you in the coming days.

    Reply
  14. WANDA & BILL YOUNG
    WANDA & BILL YOUNG on February 24, 2019 at 5:03 AM

    OBIE & FAMILY- SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. Y’ALL HAVE BEEN A GOOD FRIEND TO US & MY MOM & DAD. WE WILL MISS HER, SHE WAS A GOOD TEACHER & FRIEND.

    Reply
  15. Judith powell
    Judith powell on February 24, 2019 at 2:20 PM

    So sorry for your loss. She was a special person.

    Reply
  16. virgie burnett
    virgie burnett on February 24, 2019 at 3:03 PM

    So sorry for your loss.Was a good friend to us

    Reply
  17. Carrie Luce Pickens
    Carrie Luce Pickens on February 24, 2019 at 4:20 PM

    My deepest condolences. It was an honor to have known such a wonderful person. May God give you comfort and peace during this time.

    Reply
  18. Dianne Henry Stiff
    Dianne Henry Stiff on February 24, 2019 at 11:59 PM

    Frances you will forever be in my ? ..You were always an inspiration to me. May you rest in peace my precious and lovely friend…Will hopefully see you walking with all the angels in heaven..

    Reply
  19. Carol Jennings
    Carol Jennings on February 25, 2019 at 3:13 PM

    I was so shocked to see the obituary in the paper Sunday. I saw Frances at Frances Willis estate sale on Saturday and then she died on Tuesday. I’m so sorry. Frances was a sweet caring person. Will always remember her helping me with the boys after I had surgery.

    Reply
  20. Lenora and Charles Shearer, Charla and Tim Gann, Anna Lee Shearer
    Lenora and Charles Shearer, Charla and Tim Gann, Anna Lee Shearer on February 25, 2019 at 3:50 PM

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family during this time. Praying for comfort and strength.

    Reply
  21. Kelli Craft Alyousef
    Kelli Craft Alyousef on February 27, 2019 at 2:51 AM

    So sorry to hear, she will be missed.

    Reply
  22. Mitch & Kelly Davis
    Mitch & Kelly Davis on March 1, 2019 at 3:12 PM

    Mr. Rutledge ,

    We were so sadden to hear of Mrs. Rutledge’s passing . We pray The Lord will comfort you in the difficult days ahead .

    Reply
  23. Billie R Johnson
    Billie R Johnson on March 1, 2019 at 11:51 PM

    Obie, I am so sorry for your loss. Couple of years ago we were lucky to see and visit with you two. I loved her.

    Reply
  24. Sandra Brown
    Sandra Brown on March 13, 2019 at 5:56 PM

    Frances was a great person. Loved running into at the estate sales. She was always in a good laughing mood and so friendly. Will miss you Frances.

    Reply

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