T. Carl Rutledge

T. CARL RUTLEDGE, 87, Collierville, TN, died November 27, 2012. Visitation will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 29 at Collierville Funeral Home. Service will be1 p.m. Friday, November 30 at Collierville First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville, TN. He leaves his wife, Dorothy Rutledge; son, Skeeter Rutledge (Karen); daughter, Carla Swindoll (Don); sister, Anne Carnes (Sydney); brother, Royce Rutledge (Joyce); grandchildren: Renee Rutledge Davis (John), Bruce Swindoll, David Swindoll (Heather); great-granddaughter, Jack and Robert Davis, Gavin Swindoll. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harris and Willie Rutledge and his brother, Ray Rutledge (Nancy). Born July 11, 1925, Carl Rutledge graduated from Collierville High School in 1943 and began working for the Postal Service. He left to sell insurance for National Burial Insurance Co. before joining Brantley Funeral Home in 1959, which later changed names to Collierville Funeral Home when it moved to the new building on Poplar in 1974. He was President of the Collierville Branch until retiring in 2010. He has always had strong community ties. He helped build the first press box at the old high school in 1954. He worked as an announcer at both the elementary and high school fields for 24 years. He helped to organize the Lions Club in Collierville and was president in 1960-61. He served as President of Collierville Rotary in 1979-1980 and again from 2010-2011. He was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award. He served as President for the Magnolia Cemetery Association until 1984. He served in Sunday School at First Baptist where he is a member. He emceed the Collierville Christmas Parade until 1995 and served as Grand Marshall in 2010. He was a founding member of the Collierville Goodfellows. He played Santa at the nursing home each year. He was also named the 2008 Chamber Person of the Year. Carl Rutledge was a man who gave of himself to his family and his community. He never met a stranger and was loved by all he met. He was a pillar of the Collierville community and he will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice . Collierville Funeral Home 901-853-2628 www.ColliervilleFuneral.com