October 15, 1931 – May 10, 2021
Jimmie “Clayton” Rutledge, 89, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, entered the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday morning, May 10, 2021, at his home in Noblesville. A life-long resident of Murfreesboro, Tenn., he moved to Indiana in January 2020 to be near his family.
Clayton was born in Silver Point, Tenn., on October 15, 1931 to Jesse Rucker and Dora Loretta (Morgan) Rutledge. He was a graduate of Central High School and attended Middle Tennessee State College (University). On March 18, 1956, he married Carolyn Joyce Travis, beginning a life together that would last 65 years.
He is survived by the love of his life, Carolyn Joyce Travis Rutledge; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Don Jennings II, Noblesville; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Michal Rutledge, New York City; three grandchildren, Don (Taylor) Jennings III, Clayton (Jamie) Jennings, and Stephanie (Stephen) Hall; six great-grandchildren, Holland Jennings, Haven Jennings, Haddon Jennings, Arabelle Jennings, Ryleigh Hall, and McKenna Hall; sister-in-law, Lucy Rutledge; and nephews, Mark (Peggy) Rutledge and Craig Rutledge. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Rutledge; and sister, Dorothy Ann Gilley.
Clayton trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior as a young boy and lived a faithful life of service for the Lord. Clayton was the owner of Rutledge Farms, Rutledge Real Estate, Rutledge Auction Company, and Rutledge Metal Buildings. He also loved traveling and drove a tour bus, covering all 48 of the continental United States. He served in the Army in Germany and at Fort Boehning, Ga., traveled with a Southern Gospel quartet, served as a church deacon and trustee, was a song leader for revivals, churches, and classes for 72 years, was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, and attended Hope Bible Fellowship in Noblesville where his son-in-law is the pastor. He loved farming and being an auctioneer and a real estate broker, but most of all loved serving the Lord. The desire of Clayton’s heart was that everyone would have the opportunity to hear about the hope and love of Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation because in the end, knowing Christ as your personal Savior is all that matters. Next to his love for the Lord was his love for his family. He leaves behind a legacy of a life well-lived for the glory of God alone.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Randall and Roberts Funeral Home in Noblesville and Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home in Murfreesboro. The viewing will be at noon on Saturday, May 15, 2021 with the service following at 2 p.m., both at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, 820 S. Church St., Murfreesboro, Tenn. Pastor Don Jennings II will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Condolences: randallroberts.com