Ida Rutledge

1923 - 2016

Ida Rutledge

1923 - 2016



Ida Maud Mansfield Rutledge, 92, of Milton, Florida, left us peacefully to be with the Lord on July 10, 2016. Ida was born on September 8, 1923, in Perth, Western Australia. Always fiery and fun-loving, Ida was an avid tennis player and loved dancing and attending social gatherings in her glory days.

Ida's life changed when she met Jack Rutledge, a handsome US Navy serviceman, during World War II. Ida and Jack married on May 8, 1944. Ida left her beloved Australia, as well as her parents and two younger brothers, Rob and Frank, in 1946, for her new life in the United States. Together, Ida and Jack started their family and through the years, they moved to various military posts including San Diego, Guam, Key West, Boston, Newport, and Memphis.

Ida and Jack settled in Milton, Florida with their five children in 1962. As the Rutledge family grew and thrived in the Milton community, so did Ida's faith and spiritual commitment to Christ. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Milton, where she worked for several years in the children's day care program. Later, she became an active member of Christian Life Church in Milton. Throughout those years, Ida was closely involved with children's ministry. Her passionate faith, love for others, and joyous spirit were cherished by all who knew her.

Ida is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Rutledge; her parents, Reginald and Vera Mansfield; her youngest brother, Frank Mansfield and his wife, Margot; and her grandson in-law.

Ida is survived by her brother Robert Mansfield and his wife Di of Perth, Australia and her children, Vera (Jackie) Cooper, grand children, Lauren Drake, Sam (Patrick) Cooper, and Matt Cooper; Karen (Peter) Ford, grandchildren Judson, Micah and Karamy Ford; Jackie (Rick) Zeiger, grandchildren Lia Zeiger and Adrianne (Chris) Martillano; Sandee (Jim) Cutts, grandchildren Zack and Sarah Cutts; Murry (Kim) Rutledge, grandchildren Haley (Kevin) Hogan, Sidney (Ryan) Ware; great grandchildren Gracen Drake, Alyies Cooper and Sarah Snyder, Graham and Brooks Hogan and Laney Ware (future great grand baby Ware). Ida is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Australia.

The visitation will be held at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, July 31st, at Christian Life Church, Milton Florida, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 6 p.m. Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, directing.

The family is thankful for the special care Ida received while living at the Villas of Gulf Breeze. Deepest gratitude is also expressed to the staff of The Haven of Our Lady of Peace in Pensacola, Florida, for their love and devotion to Ida in the last three years of her life.

Charitable donations may be made to Challenge Farm, c/o Globe International, P.O. BOX 3040, Pensacola, Florida 32516; or online at www.challengefarm.org

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