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Erica Rutledge Obituary
Our "Purple Queen" was born on July 29, 1975, in Gary, Indiana, to Johnny Warren Sr. and Linda (Payne) Warren.
Erica was raised and educated in Gary and Fort Wayne, Indiana, and graduated from North Side High School in Fort Wayne in 1993. She was employed in business and retail, including at The Heritage Companies in Fort Wayne and at Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan City, where she first met her future husband, Ephraim Rutledge.
Erica loved her family, her friends and her faith. She loved the color purple and she enjoyed gardening, writing poetry, arts and crafts, and making care packages for those in need. She was a "Super Mom" and enjoyed volunteering as a chaperone on her children's many school field trips.
She was preceded in death by her father, Johnny Warren Sr.; maternal grandmother, Alpha Payne Lawson; aunt, Ethel Payne; first cousin, Shawn Smith Sr.; and mother-in-law, Barbara Tidwell.
Erica leaves to forever cherish her memory, her husband, Ephraim Rutledge; sons, Aaron Golden and Carlos Rutledge; daughters, Eriana and Anyla Rutledge, all of Michigan City, Indiana; mother, Linda (Payne) Walters and stepfather, Mark Walters; grandfather, Virgil Payne; sisters, Tomeko Warren (Kevin) Hopson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Dorna Warren Robinson and Robin Warren (Jerome) Strayhorn, both of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother: Johnny Warren, Jr. of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and first cousin/brother, Joshua (Tramaine) Payne of Atlanta, Georgia; nephews, Josiah Hopson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jerrin (Jessica) Strayhorn of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and Shawn Smith Jr. of Indianapolis, Indiana; nieces, Lorin Robinson of Charlotte, North Carolina, Brooke Strayhorn of Gastonia, North Carolina, T'Yauna Payne of Atlanta, Georgia, Ja'Liyah Payne of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Savaya Tidwell of Michigan City, Indiana; along with a host of many more cousins, extended family and friends.
Erica's passing has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. But we take comfort in knowing her suffering has ended and that she is now resting peacefully. She knew that she would see us all again in Paradise.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Coleman & Hicks Chapel, 101 S. Karwick Rd., Michigan City, Indiana, 46360. Family hour will be 1 p.m. until time of service.
To sign a guestbook, please visit www.colemanhicks.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Erica Rutledge
Geraldine Ewing
January 20, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Archie Shaw
January 20, 2024
My condolences to the Nick Rutlege Family. Hope everything is OK with you.
Archie Shaw
January 20, 2024
My condolences to the Nick Rutledge family. I hope that you will be okay.
Brenda Warren-Davis
January 20, 2024
Rest in peace my Beautiful cousin Erica. Love Brenda Warren-Davis & Family
Mr. Alfred & Mrs. Kellee Carroll
January 19, 2024
I would like to extend our heartfelt condolence to the family during this difficult time. We'll cherish these fond memories for a lifetime.
Shirley A Underwood
January 18, 2024
I would like to give my condolence to the family and I hope in time the pain will lessen. It's never easy when losing a loved one. I will remember you in my prayers.
Jerome Curtis
January 18, 2024
I think about all the fun we had growing up those time I never will forget I miss you lil cuzzin love you
Geraldine Ewing
January 18, 2024
My condolences to the family, sending prayers. Rest in peace Mrs. Erica Rutledge.
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Funeral services provided by:
Coleman & Hicks Funeral Home and Crematory - Michigan City101 S. Karwick Rd. P.O. Box 171, Michigan City, IN 46360
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