Jacqueline Theresa Rutledge

Now that I am gone, remember me with smiles and laughter. And if you need to cry, cry with your brother or sister who walks in grief beside you. And when you need me, put your arms around anyone and give to them what you need to give to me. There are so many who need so much. I want to leave you something - something much better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I've known or helped in some special way. Let me live in your heart as well as in your mind. You can love me most by letting your love reach out to our loved ones, by embracing them and living in their love. Love does not die, people do. So, when all that's left of me is love, give me away as best you can. - Jackie Rutledge Jacqueline Theresa Rutledge died Sunday, May 6, 2012 at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona from injuries she sustained after an accidental fall. She was 74 years old. When you lose someone you love, you gain an angel whose name you know. This angel, Jackie, as she was affectionately known, was born on November 12, 1937 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana to the late Elmo Leonard and Dora Lee (Pavey) LeVasseur. At the age of 11, Jackie moved, with her family, from her native Shreveport, Louisiana to Redlands, California. When she was 14, Jackie was "Runner-up" in The Miss Redlands Beauty Pageants. During high school, she attended Redlands High School and for the rest of her high school years, Jackie was passionate about modeling; a passion which she channeled into working with young girls and helping them in The Miss Colton Beauty Pageants over the years. During this time of her life, she was featured in several magazines and was still able to compete in many beauty pageants as well. After she met and married the love of her life, Henry Eugene "Hank" Rutledge, they bought a home in Rialto, California where they lived for many years and raised their children. While living in Rialto, Jackie would volunteer regularly at the Women's Club and still was very much involved with the coordination of The Miss Colton Beauty Pageants. Jackie was a devoted wife to her husband, Hank and was a loving mother to all of her children. Her children will be the first to tell you that "a mother is she who can take the place of all others but, whose place no one else can take." In 1992, the Rutledges moved to Arizona and made their home in Lakeside. The couple truly enjoyed the beauty of The White Mountains and loved every aspect and all of the benefits of living there. They always enjoyed it when their children and grandchildren would "come up the mountain" to visit. They loved to show them off to all of their neighbors and friends! On January 10, 2006 Jackie's world was turned upside down when her husband, Hank, died. She missed him greatly and slowly managed through that terrible ordeal. She knows she was only able to do it with the love and support of her sweet family and dear friends. Jackie also had a special knack for crocheting. She made countless table runners, doilies, afghans, and sweaters for many of her family and friends over the years. They are now considered as priceless treasures to many of them because they know they were all crocheted with a great deal of love behind them. Jackie's children would like to send a special "thank-you" out to her many friends and neighbors for "loving our Mom so much. God bless you all." You have been there when they couldn't be there and, for that, they are forever grateful. jackie also loved her grandkids and looked forward to doing "grandma" things for every single one of them. In her final years, Jackie found a great deal of joy from the love that she received from her canine companion, Lexie. She truly was a good dog. Jackie is survived by: five daughters: Thelma Giwoff of Willits, California, Kay Hudelson of Redding, California, Debra (Terry) Price of Rialto, California, Darla Matthews of San Bernardino, California, Brenda (Tim) Forsythe of Austin, Texas; four sons: Nicholas West of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Loman A. West of Tacoma, Washington, Wesley (Vickie) Alexander of Lake Arrowhead, California, Kember Rutledge of Bremmerton, Washington; her sister, Pat Franklin of San Bernardino, California; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with her parents and husband, Jackie was preceded in death by 3 sons: Michael West, Andy Rutledge and Chip Rutledge. A special graveside service will be held at the Bellevue Mausoleum in Ontario, California. Memorial contributions, in Jackie's name, to The White Mountain Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 have been suggested by her family. Finally, as Jackie's family prepares themselves to say "Good-bye" this Mother's Day weekend, they are reminded of one last quote they would like to share with the world: "Who ran to help me when I fell, and would some pretty story tell, or kiss the place to make it well? My mother." This beautiful and dynamic woman will truly be loved forever and a day...