Dr. Essie Manuel Rutledge

Dr. Essie Manuel Rutledge, distinguished educator and scholar, tireless activist, and beloved family member and friend transitioned peacefully from this life Sunday June 1, 2025 leaving behind a remarkable legacy of education, advocacy, and service. Dr. Essie Pearl Manuel Rutledge was born in Midway, Alabama on October 1, 1934. She moved to St. Petersburg, Florida later in childhood and graduated from Gibbs High School. She returned to Gibbs as a teacher after receiving her undergraduate degree at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1958. She went on to attain her Masters Degree at the University of Wisconsin in 1965. While pursuing her doctorate, she married Albert Chester Rutledge and gave birth to her only son Jeffrey Albert Rutledge. With a toddler at foot, earned her Ph.D. in 1974 in Sociology from the prestigious University of Michigan. Following completion of her doctorate, Dr. Rutledge became the first African American female chair in the history of Western Illinois University as head of the African American Studies Department. She served as a respected professor and mentor for over 30 years and had an unwavering dedication to the empowerment of her students, colleagues and the broader community. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Rutledge exemplified the sororitys commitment to scholarship, sisterhood, and service. Over the years, she has been deeply involved in countless other esteemed organizations including the NAACP, Alliance for Racial Harmony, Lions Club and Association of Black Sociologists. She was a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ. Her life's work extended far beyond the classroom as a civil rights pioneer, an unyielding activist, and a fervent advocate for equality and justice inspiring countless others to continue the fight for a more just society. Dr. Essie Pearl Manuel Rutledge was preceded in death by her husband Albert Chester Rutledge, her parents Algie Manuel Sr. and Ollie Mae Jones, and siblings Patricia McIntosh (Ted) and Thomas Manuel (Elnora). She is survived by her son Jeffrey Albert Rutledge (Tonia), grandchildren (Jeffrey Amani and Jabari), siblings Algie Manuel Jr. (Carol), Arthur Jones, Beverly Williams (Ken) and host of nieces, nephews, and other cherished relatives and friends. Visitation will be held at Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home in Macomb, Il on Thursday June 12, 2025 from 3p to 7p. A celebration of her life and legacy will be held at First Christian Church in Macomb, Il on Friday June 13, 2025. Visitation begins at 11:30a with service to follow from noon to 2p. She will be laid to rest with her husband at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Her memory will forever live on in the countless lives she touched, the movements she advanced, and the family, friends, colleagues, and community members who were privileged to know her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to NAACP https://naacp.org/ways-give/honor-someone-special. Click the link and type Dr. Essie Manuel Rutledge in the dedication section. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.dodsworthfh.com. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Dr., please visit our Tree Store.