Annie Shepherd Rutledge

Jan. 31, 1913 - Jan. 27, 2011

Annie Shepherd Rutledge, retired teacher and beloved mother, passed away peacefully in her home on Jan. 27, 2011.

Annie Shepherd was born in Vermont Heights, St. Johns County, Fla., on the 31st of January 1913, to Sanco Shepherd and Addie Walker Shepherd.

Mother Rutledge attended Mather-Perry Presbyterian School, a private school operated by Headmaster, the Rev. J.H. Cooper. She graduated in 1929 from Excelsior High School and continued her education at Florida Memorial College, receiving a B.S. degree in elementary education. Mother Rutledge completed advanced studies at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Winston-Salem Teachers College in Winston-Salem, N.C.

In August 1956, Mother Rutledge completed a master of education degree in special education from Teachers College of Columbia University in New York, N.Y.

The vast teaching career of Mother Rutledge began in Jackson County, Fla., having taught in the schools of Bascom, Graceville and Sneads, Fla. During this period, she married a fellow educator, Edward Rutledge. During their marriage, four daughters were born, Rosalind (deceased), Patricia (deceased), Gwendolyn and Delores.

Many students in St. Johns County were fortunate to have Mother Rutledge as a loving, nurturing and compassionate teacher. She taught eight grades in a one-room church on Tocoi Road to black children whose parents lived and worked in a nearby Turpentine Camp.

She was eventually transferred to Webster Elementary School and later to Excelsior High School. When school integration became mandatory, the very best of our Afro-American teachers were sent to all-white schools. Of course, Mother Rutledge (one of the best) was given an assignment to teach special education at Mill Creek Elementary School.

She remained at Mill Creek until her retirement in 1977. After her retirement, Mother Rutledge continued to share her love for education by tutoring the neighborhood children.

First Baptist Church has been Mother Rutledge"s Christian home since 1919, where she was baptized in 1925. For more than 90 years she has been a part of the choir program, having sung in the junior choir and the senior choir. She has also served as a Sunday School teacher, Missionary Society, director of the Red Circle and Sunshine Band, Baptist Training Union, Vacation Bible School teacher, chair of the Mother"s Day programs, Youth Day programs, baby contest and numerous other special Christian events.

Organizational involvements for Mother Rutledge included the St. Johns County Democratic Party, the Council on Aging, the Retired Teachers Association of St. Johns County, the NAACP, Order of the Eastern Star, the National Baptist Convention and the Ancient City Choirs Guild.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at First Baptist Church, with Pastor Michael J. McConnell officiating. Interment will be at Craig Memorial Park. A viewing service will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2011, at First Baptist Church, 81 St. Francis St., in St. Augustine.

Mother Rutledge leaves her legacy of love to her devoted daughters, Gwendolyn R. Sandcroft and Delores R. Love, St. Augustine; grandson, Eric J. Barkley (Karole), New York, N.Y.; granddaughters, Christalyn A. Sandcroft and Rosalind M. Sandcroft, St. Augustine; great-grandchildren, Nawye Sandcroft-Jones, Sarah Ann Barkley, Serena N. Barkley, Justus A. Johnson, Berekat E. Barkley, Belaynah E. Barkley and Ethan Antonio Jeffers; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Shepherd; nieces, Gwendolyn Shepherd and Nia van der Velden (Mark), New York, N.Y.; nephews, George Jackson and Kevin Jackson, St. Augustine; cousins, Helen Joy, Queen Esther Jackson, William Walker, Lucille Whipper, Charleston, S.C., Kathanial Roberts, Bernice Barnes, Brooklyn, N.Y., Edward Walker, Washington, D.C., and Inez Williams and Rosa Lee Hicks, St. Augustine.

A host of extended family, friends and former students will remember and miss the loving smile, kind words and gentle spirit of Mother Rutledge.

Leo C. Chase & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.