Max Wayne Rutledge, 88, of Batesville, Arkansas passed away on February 18, 2025. He was born January 23, 1937, in Huff, Arkansas to Arch Franklin (A. F. ”Nick”) and Myrtle Swaim Rutledge.
A 1955 Pleasant Plains High School graduate, Max served as a Batesville City Councilman owned Rutledge & Daughters Tractor Company, and retired after several years as Road Foreman for the Independence County Road Department. By far, his favorite pastimes included raising cattle on the family farm on Salado Creek, taking his children, grandchildren and the Calvary Baptist Youth for hayrides, watching westerns and listening to gospel music. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for almost 50 years where he happily served as an usher.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Linda Wright Rutledge of Batesville, Arkansas; two daughters, Cecelia (Dennis) Wilson of Jordan, Arkansas and Angie (Jackie) Stevens of Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters, Patsy Sharp of Batesville, Arkansas and Shirley Gould of Avinger, Texas, four nephews and two nieces. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Cody (Francesca) Wilson of Austin, Texas; Cheyenne (Paul) Morgan, of Jordan, Arkansas; Haley (Patrick) Brown of Birmingham, Alabama, and Cassidy Stevens, also of Birmingham, Alabama; four great-grandchildren: Manon and Max Morgan, Josephine Wilson and (soon-to-premiere) Sophie Brown.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary Lee Dickey and Doris Virginia Rutledge; and three brothers, Jerry Don Rutledge, Evon Rutledge and Jackie Craig Rutledge.
The family would like to thank the staff of White River Medical Center of Batesville as well as Gail Harmon, Niecey, Nance and Terri for the excellent care and compassion provided during Max’s stay in the hospital.
The funeral will be officiated by Bro. Dennis Wilson and Bro. Randy Scott and will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, Batesville, Arkansas preceded by visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Pallbearers are Cody Wilson, Jackie Stevens, Paul Morgan, Patrick Brown, Ronnie Brooks, Denver Huskey and Ken Ray.
Honorary Pallbearers are Eddie Winn and the Men’s Fellowship Class of Calvary Baptist Church
Special music by Pianist Mike Foster, Cecelia Wilson and Angie Stevens, and Larry Poff.
