Mary ElizabethRutherford

Mary Elizabeth Powell Rutherford, 92, became an angel in Heaven on December 12, 2010. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.  Rev. Chris Campbell will officiate. 

She was born June 29, 1918 to Clyde and Mabel Williams Powell in the White Rock Community in Hunt County.

She graduated from Greenville High School in 1935 and later graduated from Greenville Business College. Afterwards, she worked for the U.S. Agricultural Department and in the office of a Dallas area oil company until her marriage to James Ardis Rutherford on September 21, 1942. The union produced two sons James A. Rutherford, Jr. and William P. Rutherford.

All along, Mary was active in school programs and various community affairs, and was an active participant in several Bible and study clubs with her church, First Presbyterian. In 1964, she began working with her husband in his accounting firm until his retirement in 1980. She was a lifetime member of the Greenville ISD PTA and the Women’s Organization of the Presbyterian Church of USA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Clyde Powell, Jr. and, in 2003, her husband, James.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law Jim and Sandi, and Bill and Cathy, all of Greenville, and grandchildren Jill Rutherford and Jay Rutherford and fiancée Janice Boyer, all of Dallas. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Helen Rutherford and Mary Powell, both of Greenville, numerous nieces, nephews, and families, her very special friend, Kenie Blunt, as well as many more dear and loving friends.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Mary’s memory with Memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Greenville.