Barbara Lavirlle Rutherford

Barbara was born on February 21, 1936, in Commerce, Texas, to her loving parents, Herman and Lottie Reynolds Holley. She would always describe her childhood as hard, but there was never a time when she didn’t feel loved by her parents and her younger brother and best friend, Larry Holley.

It was on June 4, 1960, when she married the love of her life, James David (Dave) Rutherford at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Barbara first met Dave in New Braunfels while in a bowling league together, and he asked for her hand in marriage just 6 months later. They complimented each other tremendously well, and their support and deep love for each other never wavered. Their love story was truly one to look up to and strive for.

In 1961, they welcomed their first child into the world, Michael Rutherford, and in 1964, their daughter, Jamie Rutherford Butler was born. There was never a shortage of love and fun in the Rutherford household, and Barbara believed in an open-door policy that always welcomed any and everyone to join in on the good times. Together, Barbara and Dave were the perfect examples of nurturing and devoted parents, and they showed Michael and Jamie how to trickle that love and devotion down to their children.

From a young age, Barbara was never shy to hard work and she took her work seriously. Before she met Dave, Barbara worked as a civil servant at Randolph Air Force Base. Once she had children, she worked as the director of the kindergarten program at First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels, which she was a proud member of. Barbara retired from Canyon High School as a math and science aide after over 20 years of devoting her life to helping teachers and kids.

When asked to describe Barbara, words like loving, fierce, welcoming, positive, strong, supportive, kind, stern, genuine, and caring, were all used to describe her. To her loved ones, she was a devoted wife, a loving mother and aunt, the absolute best Gigi, a fierce friend, your biggest supporter, and a role model who inspired everyone around her to be the best version of themselves.

Preceding her in death was her parents Herman and Lottie Holley and her brother Larry Holley.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dave, and their two children (and spouses): Michael Rutherford (Kim), and Jamie Rutherford Butler (Vince); 8 grandchildren (and spouses): Jake Rutherford (Casey), Reece Butler, Jess Rutherford (Kori), Zach Butler, Carly Butler (Dustin), Ryan Cooper (Meagan), Lauren Cooper Henk (Hunter), Mallory Cooper Johnson (Cade), and her great-grandchildren: Owen and Shane Rutherford, and Tinley and Aiden Henk. Barbara is also survived by her two nieces (and spouses): Shelley Holley Gonzalez (Bert), and Cindy Holley Davis (Joe), as well as many more friends and family.

The family would like to sincerely thank the caregivers at Brookdale Senior Living and Hope Hospice for their tremendous care and support throughout her stay. In lieu of donations and sympathy flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels or a charity of your choice.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 18 at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa Street, New Braunfels, Texas. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 pm in the chapel.