Janet Ward Rutledge

Janet Ward Rutledge, age 74, passed away peacefully in her home after a courageous fight on February 13, 2024.
Janet was one of two children born to Janet King Johnston and Richard M. Johnston who both preceded her in death. She graduated from Stratford High School, Class of 1967. Janet married the love of her life, Ted Rutledge, on July 28, 1990, at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville, TN. Janet spent many years fulfilling a passion for gardening through her career at Moore & Moore, where she cultivated many close friends and patrons over decades. In recent years, she took up an interest in painting and grew to love creating art. There was nothing Janet enjoyed more than sitting on the white sand beaches of St. George Island and sharing those moments with her loved ones.
She is survived by her husband, Ted, brother, Richard M. Johnston, daughter, Robin Ward Gardner (Randy), sons by marriage, Lee Rutledge (Dena) and Lane Rutledge (Tammi), grandchildren, Ryan Fuerst (Paul), Emilie Dudas (Justin), Will Rutledge (Mariana), Bret Rutledge (Casey), Kate Rutledge, and Aiden Gardner and five great grandsons, Jack, Elijah, and Cooper Dudas, and Sam and James Fuerst.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She will be terribly missed. Janet will now be walking strongly, breathing deeply, and checking out God's heavenly gardens.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 9:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at 10:00 a.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane Nashville, TN 37204. A reception will be held at 11:30 after a private burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, both near and dear to Janet's heart.