Thomas Edwin "Rooster" Rutherford Jr.

Funeral Services will be at 1pm Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Goodyear Heights Baptist Church for Thomas Edwin “Rooster” Rutherford, Jr., age 64, of Gadsden, who died Thursday, October 10, 2013. Rev. Blake Champion will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.

Rooster retired from the Etowah County Board of Education working at Southside High School and a graduate of Emma Sansom High School where he was a faithful member of the Rebel Band. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas (Geneva) Rutherford, Sr.; sisters, Cindy Champion, Phyllis Rutherford and Cheryl Ellison; grandparents, Herbert and Bonnie Gregg and Walter and Annie Rutherford.

Rooster is survived by his brother, Greg (Rita) Rutherford; brothers-in-law, Clint Ellison and Allen Champion; Nieces, Mandi Champion, Monica (John) Gramling, Cassondra Rutherford, Linsey Rutherford and Tena Wynn; nephews, Blake Champion, and Philip Ellison; Several Great Nieces and Nephews; chosen family, Betty Yancey and family.

Pallbearers will be Allen Champion, Clint Ellison, Philip Ellison, John Gramling, Michael Yancey and JJ Duncan.

Special thanks to the SICU nurses and staff at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Rick Gramling and Dr. Kaleem.

The family will receive friends from 5 till 8 pm this evening at Collier-Butler Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.collier-butler.com.