Mattie Rutherford Henderson

HENDERSON, Mattie Sue Smith Rutherford slipped peacefully and quietly from this earth to enter the gates of Heaven as the sun arose in the Eastern sky shortly before 6:00 AM on February 8, 2015. Born February 19, 1920, she was 11 days short of her 95th birthday. Born in Perry County, Alabama to William Ezra and Mary Paralee Evans Smith, she was the fourth born of ten children. She married James Albert Rutherford December 20, 1941 and to this union was born 3 children: Mary Carolyn, Barbara Sue and James Ezra. She was a Mother and a housewife until her husband due to his declining health, encouraged her to learn a profession. At the age of 44, she was awarded a scholarship from Perry County Hospital and entered the two year nursing program at William Rufus King Technical School, now George C. Wallace Junior College in Selma. She was in the second nursing graduation class at the school and went on to obtain her LPN License. She then went to work at Perry County Nursing Home and later Perry County Hospital where she loved her patients and they in return loved her. In 1971, after 30 years of marriage, she lost her beloved husband. She remained a widow for fifteen years until she and Bill Henderson of Montgomery who she had known for 45 years began to enjoy each other’s companionship. This relationship eventually blossomed into love and on June 28, 1987, she and Bill were married. In their twilight years they enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time with family prior to his death in 1999.

A very independent person, Mattie Sue enjoyed her home, growing beautiful flowers and especially her children and grandchildren. After her move to Montgomery, she became a member of Dalraida Baptist Church. She especially enjoyed her Ruth Sunday School Class and attended faithfully until her health began to decline in 2009.

Besides her parents, and her two husbands she was proceeded in death by her siblings: Willie Mae Smith Thomas; Wilba Smith Thomas; Nelda Smith Nichols; Ethel Lee Smith Henderson; Ruth Smith Clinton; and Richard Samuel Smith; 3 nephews and her son in law, James Troy Mozingo.

She is survived by her children: Carolyn Rutherford Mozingo; Barbara Rutherford Redding (Johnny, Sr.) of Montgomery; James Ezra (Jim) Rutherford, Marion; Bill’s children: Carol Henderson Cardwell (Rev. Gary) of Gadsden; Wayne Henderson , Montgomery both of whom were special to her and Dennis Henderson Birmingham; grandchildren: Lisa Mozingo Tolar (Andy); Johnny Redding, Jr. (Carole Anne); and James Flynn Mozingo (Cathy). Also Jed Rutherford (Anna Catharine); Matt Rutherford (Ginger); Sunny Rutherford Terry (Mason) and their Mother, Brenda Williams Anthony (Mike); Janice Cardwell; Ginger Cardwell Engstrom (Michael); David Henderson (Sara); Jennifer Henderson Coughlan (Mitch) and Angela Henderson. Survivors also include her brother, William S. Smith (Linda) of Marion and sisters: Helen Smith Mangone of Birmingham and Louise Smith Lavendar (Ben Sr.) of Columbiana. She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and a very special niece, Sybil Nichols Carlson and a number of nieces, nephews and other family members.

A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, February 10, at 11:00 AM at Dalraida Baptist Church, Montgomery with Pastor Rev. Rick Evans officiating and Rev. Gary Cardwell assisting. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM and her body laid to rest beside her first husband at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery near Marion, Alabama. Pallbearers are her grandsons.

Although flowers are appreciated, donations are encouraged to Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, % William Smith, 165 March Lane, Marion, Al. 36756.