AIKEN, SC - Betty Rutledge, 98, widow of James Loy Rutledge, died Sunday, February 17 at Cumberland Village, Aiken. SC. She is survived by her daughter, Ann Patrick LeMay and husband William LeMay of Aiken, SC, granddaughter Bethe Patrick Ogle and her husband Brent Ogle of Williston, VT, grandson Mark Patrick of South Orange NJ, , great grandchildren Benjamin Ogle, Mitchell Ogle, Emily Patrick, Zoe Patrick, Alina Patrick, and Charlie Olson and father James Olson of Golden, CO, step grandsons Stephen LeMay and wife Lori of Frisco, TX and Philip LeMay of the Woodlands, TX, and step great grandchildren Jordan LeMay of Republic MO and Foster Joyce of Lubbock, TX. She was preceded in death by granddaughter Susan Olson of Golden, CO.
Mrs. Rutledge was born Ruth Elizabeth Iden in Las Vegas, NM on January 6, 1915. She moved to Dallas, TX with her mother Ada Ruth Iden and brothers Chester and Larry Iden after her father died in 1927. After graduating from Highland Park High School Betty entered the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM where she pledged Alpha Chi Omega and met her husband, James (Jim) Rutledge whose career entailed ownership and operation of Sanitary Laundry and Rutledge Linen Supply. Jim passed away 20 years ago. Jim and Betty were married for 55 years.
Betty and Jim were active members of the Albuquerque community. Betty enjoyed playing bridge, golf and scrabble. She gave decades of service as a Grey Lady at the Veterans Hospital and Lovelace Medical Center and 20 years assisting the thrift shop at Central Methodist Church. She and Jim sponsored the “Rutledge Endowed Professorship in Management” at the UNM Anderson School of Business and more recently an endowment to the UNM Medical School, Science and Research Department in memory of her granddaughter, Susan Patrick Olson. The Rutledges also supported the National History museum, Presbyterian Hospital, and Central United Methodist Church. Jim and Betty enjoyed extensive travel throughout the world by plane, cruise line and freighter ship.
A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Monday, February 25 at Cumberland Village with The Rev. Dr. Ray Litts of St. John's United Methodist Church presiding. A reception will follow.
Shellhouse - Rivers Crematory in Aiken, SC will prepare her remains which will be flown to Albuquerque, NM for burial. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to your charity of choice.
Please visit the online guestbook at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com. SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC
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