Ruby Arnold Rutherford Whittaker

Ruby Arnold Rutherford Whittaker Ruby Arnold Rutherford Whittaker received her angel wings at her home on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. She was a daughter of the late John Carroll and Una Blanche Rouse Arnold. She was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She graduated from Holston Valley High School and worked for many years as a seamstress at Gordon Garment Manufacturing. She loved to quilt and gifted many people with her handiwork. She had participated in Senior Olympics and represented Bristol in the Tennessee Senior Olympics Competition. She was an active member of Sinking Springs United Methodist Church, and she worked diligently in the Lord's Acre program since its inception. She served on many church committees including the finance committee, the church council, and was a church trustee. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James S. Rutherford; son, Ronnie Rutherford; granddaughter, Sara Rutherford; second husband, Robert Whittaker; sister, Sue Harmon; and brothers, Jack "Thomas" Arnold and James Lee "J.L." Arnold. She is survived by her daughter, Phyllis Jackson; son, Eddie Rutherford; granddaughter, Lissa Jackson and fianc‚ Jason Stout; step-grandchildren, Julie Jackson and husband Tommy Keeney, and Ted Jackson; sisters, Virgie Dutton, Lucille Kane, and Ann Laster and husband Bud; very special friend, Kenneth Hyatt; step-children, Diane Whittaker and Tom Whittaker and wife Sandy; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Whittaker and her family are especially thankful for her caregiver angels. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Monday evening, Jan. 3, 2011, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, or from 1 until 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2011, at Sinking Springs United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2 o'clock at the church with Rev. Randy Powers officiating. The graveside service and interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike Laster, Sid Cox, Curtis Cox, Terry Rutherford, Wayne Rutherford, and Tony Price. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces, nephews, and members of Sinking Springs United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Sinking Springs United Methodist Church, 208 V.I. Ranch Road, Bristol, TN 37620; the American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY, 10305-1425; or to the American Cancer Society, Mid South Division, Inc., P.O. Box 9938, Nashville, TN 37209-0938. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.oakley-cook.com Arrangements especially for Mrs. Whittaker and her family were made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home.