Ray Roy Rutledge

KING - Mr. Ray Roy Rutledge, 79, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 17, 2005, after a brief illness. He was born July 7, 1926, to the late Pete and Martha East Rutledge. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II as well as two other tours. He had been employed with Sealtest and King and Corner Shell. Ray was married to Frances Rutledge, and they had recently celebrated 57 years of marriage, spending a week at the Outer Banks. Together they enjoyed riding his motorcycle, visiting area rest homes, where he played the guitar and sang. He loved to read. Ray was a member of the King Senior Band, which also played weekly for seniors in King and other places. He loved going and spending time in their "home" in the mountains. Surviving him are his beloved and faithful wife, Frances; a son, Roger R. Rutledge of Winston-Salem; a daughter, Cindy (Taylor) Henning of King; grandchildren Justin (Courtney) Rutledge of Cornelius, Matthew and Katelyn Rutledge of ASU, Boone, Austin, Josh and Travis Black, all of King; and a sister, Hazel (Grey) Hinshaw of Gatlinburg, Tenn. Ray was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in King, where a celebration of life service will be conducted at 7 p.m. today, July 19. A reception and greeting the family will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service with full military rites will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, in the church cemetery. The family wishes to express outpouring love and support to the family, friends, neighbors and church family, as well as to the wonderful care given by the doctors and nurses, and a special thanks to LuAnne Flynt. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the building fund of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 481, King, NC 27021. (Slate Funeral Home)