Marjorie "Margie" Lee Rutledge

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our beloved Margie Rutledge, affectionately known as “Nanny,” peacefully made her final move to her heavenly home. While our hearts are heavy with her absence, her legacy of love, faith, hard work, and family will live on through all of those who were blessed to know and love her.

Margie was born on March 8, 1933, in Flovilla, Georgia, to James Worther Duffey and Lottie Harrell Duffey. She had older half-siblings and was the first child born to Worther and Lottie. They later welcomed two more children, Harvey and Nellie.

Margie lived a life defined by family, faith, hard work, and service to others. She married Lamar Rutledge of McDonough, and together they raised two children, Kenny and Kathy, who adored each other.

Margie was a dedicated employee of Big Star grocery store for decades. She spent countless hours on her feet serving customers, always working hard and giving her best. But those same feet carried her into the kitchen for countless more hours, where she created some of the most cherished memories of all.

If you spent any time with Margie, there was a good chance you were going to be fed—and fed well. Her home cooking was one of the ways she showed her love. Many of the vegetables on the table had likely come straight from their own garden, making her meals not only delicious, but truly homegrown.

Her life of service extended beyond her home and workplace. Margie faithfully served her church in countless ways—preparing food for families in need, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, helping prepare meals for church potlucks, and even participating in homemade ice cream competitions. Whatever needed to be done, Margie was willing to lend a hand.

Margie was not just a wife, mother, sister, and daughter. She was also a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother—a rare and beautiful gift that allowed her love and influence to reach across generations.

With every new addition to the family, Margie rose to the occasion. She was the person you could call, the person who would show up, and the person who would do whatever she could to help—at any time and in any way she was able.

Her dedication to her family, her deep love for her Jesus, and her many gifts and talents in cooking, crafting, serving, and mentoring are blessings her family will cherish for generations to come. She didn't simply live among her family; she helped shape them. Her lessons, traditions, recipes, stories, and love will continue to be passed down through the generations she leaves behind.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Worther and Lottie Duffey; her husband, Lamar Rutledge; her son, Ken Rutledge; her daughter, Kathy Gourley; her granddaughter, Kayla Hammons; her brothers, Fleetwood Duffey, Nevin Duffey, Harvey Duffey, Oscar Duffey, and Paul Duffey; and her sisters, Hazel Duffey and Leola Campbell.

She is survived by her sister, Nell Guthery; granddaughter, Carisa O’Shields Henderson (Donny); granddaughter, Shanda O’Shields Watkins (Joe); grandson, Jonathan Rutledge (Jennifer); great-granddaughters, Julia Henderson, Jenna Henderson Turpin (Adrian), Hannah Watkins Pendley (Bailey), and Katie Rutledge; great-grandson, Keith Watkins; great-great-grandson, Bj𝐨̈rn Turpin; great-great-granddaughter, Amelia Pendley; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Margie's earthly work is finished, but her love is not.

Her hands that spent a lifetime serving others may now be still, but the love they poured into her family will continue through every generation she touched.

She was deeply loved. She will be deeply missed. And her legacy will live on.