Rev. David Earl Rutland, 76, of White Oak, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2016. Born February 29, 1940 in Charleston, SC to the late David S. and Bertha Hughes Rutland-Jones. He was also preceded in death brother: Heyward Rutland; sister: Emma Rutland; daughter-in-law: Wanda S. Smith Rutland.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 58 years, Brenda Lee Rutland of White Oak, NC; two sons: Donald Elmo Rutland of Cypress Creek, NC, Darryl Dennis Rutland (Tammy) of White Oak, NC; mother-in-law: Garyln Feight of White Oak, NC; granddaughter: Tiffany Nicole Friedt (Michael) of Fayetteville, NC; two grandsons: Eric Michael Rutland and girlfriend Caroline Cooling of Greenville, NC, Adam Ryan Rutland of White Oak, NC; one great-grandson: Shaddix David Friedt of Fayetteville; two brothers: Oscar Boyd “OB” Rutland of Washington state, Dewey Everett Jones (Shirley) of N. Charleston, SC; three sisters: Ernestine “Tina” (Ronald) Peterson of Monks Corner, SC, Rae Rutland Owens of Bonneau, SC, Lexie Jones Payne (Wesley) of Orangeburg, SC.
David was in the Marines for 10 years in the Vietnam War when he was injured in combat. A Southern Baptist minister for 54 years. He touched many lives with his devotion to God, and loved to witness to everyone. David married the love of his life, Brenda Lee, on December 6, 1958. He adored his family and loved his friends and church people. The grandchildren were the apples of his eye. He was an inspiration to all.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 from 4-8pm at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 2pm at Center Road Baptist Church in Bladenboro, NC. Rev. DeWayne Lambert, Rev. Charles Hester, and Dr. Mack Roberts will be officiating service. Interment will be held in church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bladen Baptist Association 137 Mill Street Elizabethtown, NC 28337 or Baptist Children’s Homes of NC 204 Idol Street Thomasville, NC 27360.
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