Robert J. Eddlemon

rutherford - Robert "Bob" Eddlemon was born September 5, 1925 in Columbia, Tennessee. He departed from this world on April 1, 2006. He worked 63 of his eighty years doing everything from racking pool balls to selling cars. But the job he loved and enjoyed the most was the ten years he spent as the mayor of Rutherford. In his adult life, Bob was a car salesman for C & J Motor Company and Lancaster Ford for 23 years. In 1976 he opened his own used-car business, B & J Motor Company. He decided to close this business in 1991 so he could make his mayoral position his full-time job. Prior to his service as mayor, he was an alderman for 18 years, giving him a total of 28 years of service to the city he so dearly loved. His political career began in 1969 when he was elected alderman for the first time. He was never defeated in any election. After his retirement as the mayor of Rutherford, his favorite hobby became building birdhouses which he loved to give away to friends and family members. He also spent many hours tending his vegetable and flower gardens. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2 p.m. with Bro. Marlon Stephens officiating. Burial will be in the Rutherford Cemetery. His parents, George and Kate Eddlemon, and one brother, Harold Eddlemon, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Eddlemon, two daughters, Vicki King of Cordova, Tennessee, and Rhonda Butterworth of Madison, Georgia, and one son, Jeff Eddlemon of Rutherford; two sisters, Bettye Halliburton of Trenton, and Ann Taylor of Dyer, eight grandchildren and seven great-granchildren. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.