Dorothy Etta (Wiles) Rutherford, 95, of Orlando, FL, peacefully passed away early Saturday morning, October 20, 2012, at Palm Garden of Orlando.
She was born October 2, 1917, in Marion, Ohio, the only child of the late Joseph Thomas Wiles and Viola Elizabeth Smith Wiles Davis.
Graduated from Harding High School in 1935.
Dorothy was married September 5, 1937, in Greenup, KY, to her loving husband Cecil “Rudy” Raymond Rutherford who passed away in 1978. They lived in Marion, Ohio, until the mid 1970s when they moved to the Indian Lake area in Ohio. In 1988, she moved to the Orlando area to be near her children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and step-father Amos Andrew Davis.
Dorothy is survived by her son Thomas Allen Rutherford and wife Linda, Winter Haven, FL, her daughter Ms. Cheryl Anita Knapp, Orlando, FL., two granddaughters Tammy Lynn Amrine, Westerville, OH, Teresa Rae Knapp Frick and husband George, Gordonsville, VA, and a grandson Andrew Allen Rutherford and wife Tara, Winter Park, FL, six great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren. In addition, Dorothy is survived by her sister-in-law Mrs. Maxine (George) Rutherford, Marion, Ohio, sister-in-law Mrs. Virginia [Stanley] Feaver, NC. and a host of nieces and nephews. Also surviving was her beloved rescued Chihuahua, “UCDX Missi Rudot UD RE”, better known to the local dog-training/obedience world as “Missi”. In November 2013, Missi reclaimed her special spot in her Mommy’s lap.
Dorothy was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church while living in Marion, the Lakeview United Methodist Church while living in the Indian Lake area, and the St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Winter Park, FL. She was very much involved as an officer as well as a member of various organizations most recently including the local Orlando chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America, a charter member of the local chapter The Lightning Needle Stitchers of the American Needlepoint Guild, the United Methodist Women of Wesley Methodist Church in Marion, Ohio, the UMW of the Lakeview Methodist Church, Lakeview, Ohio, as well as the UMW of St. Andrews United Methodist Church.
She continued to be an active member in the Toy Dog Club of Central Florida and the Orlando Dog Training Club until recently by showing her rescued Chihuahua, in obedience trials and also serving on the board of the TDCoCF.
She enjoyed life with her two children, three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Stitching, sewing, training and showing Missi, and going to all the obedience trials possible from FL to VA, was also a big part of her everyday life. The story of Missi and the challenges she gave Dorothy as well as the pleasures of success in the world of dog obedience is known thru-out the Florida dog obedience family.
A memorial service and celebration of her life was held November 10, 2012, at 2:00 pm, at the St. Andrews UM Church, 100 St. Andrews Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32792, (407)647-4516. The family received friends after the memorial service in the church.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 6, 2013, 10:00 AM in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio. All friends and former neighbors in the Marion area are welcome to attend the short service scheduled. Pastor Nancy Goulet of the Prospect Street United Methodist Church, Marion, Ohio, will provide a short graveside service.
The family requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Chihuahua Rescue and Transport, Inc, at CRT, P.O. Box 2844, Durham, NC 27715, (Make checks out to CRT), or the Toy Dog Club of Central FL’s rescue fund, 5300 Tribune Dr., Orlando, FL 32812, or the St. Andrews UM Church, Building Maintenance fund, St. Andrews Blvd, Winter Park, FL.
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