Vernadene (McDoniel) Rutledge of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at the age of 89.
She was born Nov. 30, 1930, in Tuckerman, the daughter of Alfred Hubert and Nola Jane (Lacy) McDoniel.
As a young woman, Mrs. Rutledge worked at Sears and Arkla Gas Company. She later was a rural letter carrier for the US Postal Service, retiring in 1997 after 32 years of service.
Rutledge was a member of the Beedeville Alumni Association, and the Associated Women for Harding, and Caring Sisters of Holden Avenue.
She was a longtime member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ. She was active with missions work, traveling to Window Rock, Arizona to teach VBS for Navajo Indians.
Mrs. Rutledge was preceded in death by her husband, Harold G. Rutledge; one son, Harold “Buddy” Rutledge; and two grandchildren, Bricen Johns and Dana Kay Johns.
She is survived by three daughters, Dianne Tims of Mobile, Alabama, Kay Johns and husband, Rickey, of North Little Rock, and Debbie Victory and husband, Gary, of Olyphant; one brother, Joe Harold McDoniel and wife, Ruby, of Benton, Louisiana; three sisters, Linda Rutledge of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Joan Davis and husband, Wayne, of Midway, Arkansas, and Sandra Walker and husband, Jimmy, of Newport; six grandchildren, Jerry Tims, Jr., Michael Tims, Bradley Johns, Christopher Rutledge, Ashley Victory, and Jennifer Victory Craig.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with Mr. Bill Arnold, and Mr. Anthony Wood officiating. Interment will follow in Sandhill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Children’s Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.
Her grandsons are honored to serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are John Chronister, John Brownd, and Jack Austin.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
