Rev. Sylvester Rutledge, Jr.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Sylvester Rutledge, Jr. was born on January 9th, 1937 to Sylvester "Jack" Sr. and Helen Rutledge of Birmingham, Alabama and departed this life 87 years later on January 18th, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. Early nicknamed "Bunny," he was the oldest of ten children. Rev. Rutledge is the great grandson of Jonas Rutledge who during the Civil War ran away from his slave master in Perry County, Alabama to start a family of 22 children including Rev. Rutledge's grandfather Dave Rutledge. The inspiring history of the Rutledge family has been told in Granddaughter of a Runaway Slave Boy (2014) by Rev. Rutledge's late Aunt Anne G. Rutledge who for many years taught at Alabama A&M. Rev. Rutledge's own incredible journey carried him from humble beginnings in the Deep South eventually to California where he established his family and pastored North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church for well over three decades. Through it all, Rev. Rutledge followed the example of Christ's life and love remaining tirelessly dedicated to God's work, family, and community.

Military Service

After graduating from Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Alabama, Rev. Rutledge enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and served his country. Military service enabled the son of a coal miner to see the world, and he was stationed in Japan for three years. Rev. Rutledge's lifelong fighting spirit was shown in one of the highlights from this period. He became the Pacific Air Force Bantamweight Boxing Champion in 1960 and the worldwide Air Force Runner Up that same year. The photos of Rev. Rutledge in uniform and newspaper clippings of him in the arena show the bright and handsome face of a young man full of strength and determination.

Family

Following military service, Rev. Rutledge settled in Oakland, California and began a long career working for RC Cola in San Francisco. In October 1962 he married Mildred Cecil Hodge who hailed from Hillsboro, Texas. They were lovingly devoted to one another for 55 years until her passing in 2017. Together they raised eight children and generously fostered several others in Richmond, California where they had their family home. Characteristic of a lifetime of selfless giving, the Rutledge household was always open to extended family, friends, strangers, and those in need. In the early 2000s Rev. and Mrs. Rutledge traveled to the Holy Land and visited Jerusalem together. In 2018, at age 81, Rev. Rutledge married local food activist Audrey L. Golden. He partnered with her Golden Light Ministries Church and the Breakfast Program that provides a warm meal for the homeless on Sunday mornings. Together they served and supported North Oakland and each other in Rev. Rutledge's later years.

North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church and Pastorate

From the time he first became a member in 1964 under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Ansel O. Bell until his recent passing, Rev. Rutledge was constantly involved in the life of North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church. He was loyally and humbly devoted to this community of faith and to the people of Oakland. Rev. Rutledge first served as Associate Sunday School Teacher in the Young Adult Class and as teacher in the Children's Class. He was selected as a candidate for Deaconship in 1966 and ordained in 1968. During this time Rev. Rutledge received his calling to proclaim the Gospel beginning with a ministry of street evangelism. He was then chosen to be interim pastor of North Oakland upon the death of Rev. C.B. Murray in 1982 and served in that capacity until 1984. In 1989, at age 52, Rev. Rutledge suffered his first cardiac arrest while preaching from the pulpit at North Oakland and was carried away on a stretcher by emergency services. The power of the divine life in man was manifested as God worked through this apparent set back and brush with death to bring about a new and higher phase of Rev. Rutledge's ministry. Rev. Rutledge retired from RC Cola to begin a time of recovery during which he took an active role in the upbringing of his young grandchildren and embarked on a more intense study of the Word of God. The following year, he was again named interim pastor on the retirement of Dr. Lloyd C. Blue and was subsequently elected senior pastor in 1991 - the ministry in which he served for over 32 years until death. During his long pastorate, North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church, already the second oldest historically Black Baptist congregation in Oakland with deep roots in the community, further distinguished itself as a sign of God's love for all people and a beacon of hope for the world.

Sylvester Rutledge Manor

In 2003 the Sylvester Rutledge Manor Senior Housing Project opened on San Pablo Ave. through a bequest of land from the church under Rev. Rutledge's leadership. On September 13th, 2005 this "community building and improvement effort" was recognized on the floor of the United States Congress by the Hon. Barbara Lee when she rose to acknowledge North Oakland on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Lee described Sylvester Rutledge Manor as:

a 65-unit affordable apartment complex for low-income seniors that the church developed in partnership with Oakland Community Housing, Inc. This development, completed in July 2003, is located directly adjacent to the church property and is an important step forward in the ongoing struggle to secure affordable housing for all people in our community. Through this effort, the North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church family is once again letting its light shine on what is oftentimes a gloomy reality for many, and continues to lift us all up through its unfaltering devotion to its members and our community. They have been given a heart of wisdom and knowledge by which their loving kindness and compassion have transcended beyond their walls.

Community and Other Service

Rev. Rutledge's ministry was focused on biblical education and the service and aid of the poor. He held leadership roles as President of the Senior Housing Program of North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church, President of the Baptist Ministers' Union, and President of St. John Missionary Baptist Association of Christian Education. Rev. Rutledge also served as a bible teacher for the California Missionary Baptist State Convention and a member of the Community Organizers of Oakland. In 2002, he spearheaded the first-time home buyers program on Linden Street. He has been the recipient of many awards honoring his long and faithful service and has enjoyed friendships and professional relationships spanning decades of community involvement. In the past ten years, North Oakland has become known for its popular Wednesday evening food program which brings needed nourishment to the hungry and underprivileged.

Educational Accomplishments

Rev. Rutledge pursued higher education and further theological studies while simultaneously working full time, raising a large family, and being immersed in the life of the local church. He graduated from Bay Cities Bible Institute in 1971, the Simpson Bible College in 1977, and the Evangelical Teachers Training Association in 1981. In 2001, he was awarded his Master's in theology from Faith Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. Rev. Rutledge received his Doctorate in Theology from the Sacramento Theological Seminary through the St. John Baptist Association in 2015. His energetic preaching was noted for its teaching focus offered with historical depth and insights drawn from Scripture.

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In 2023, Rev. Rutledge was featured in a section called Oakland Faith for Community Arts Photography. The photographer "noticed the reverend sitting quietly in the pews on the other side of the church" and abandoned his first shot to capture this "intimate moment" "overwhelmed by the beauty of this scene." The professional photos reveal the serene face of the elder minister now transfigured by wisdom and love. In his last years, Rev. Rutledge sometimes reflected in his sermons on the coming day when his earthly life would be complete and, leaving a legacy behind him, he would meet his Lord face-to-face (1 Cor. 13:12). For just as ashes return to ashes (Gen 3:19) so glory passes into glory (2 Cor. 3:18), and Rev. Rutledge believed that He who had raised up a servant of God from the dust (1 Sam. 2:8) would perfect the work he began in him on the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).

Rev. Rutledge is proceeded in death by his parents Sylvester Sr. and Helen Rutledge, first wife Mildred C. Rutledge, son Sylvester "Beady" Rutledge III, and granddaughter Celina Quay. He left behind his wife Audrey Golden Rutledge, younger sister Darryl Rutledge, sons and daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.

Memorial services, dates and locations, to be announced.