Lavern R. Rutherford

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, January 4 at 5:30 pm in the Chapel of First Baptist Church of Lafayette for Lavern Ray Rutherford, 73, who passed away on December 23 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Mr. Rutherford was buried in Jonesboro, AR, his birthplace, on December 28, 2010. Dr. Steve Horn, Pastor of First Baptist Church, will officiate. He is survived by his wife Beverly O'Quinn Rutherford of Lafayette; one brother, Larry 'Boots' Rutherford and his wife Melba Jean of Jonesboro; two sons, Mark Rutherford and his wife Rebecca of Montgomery, TX and Tim Rutherford of Lafayette; two daughters, Teresa Stepp of Alma, AR and Renee Rutherford of Jonesboro; step-daughter, Gizell Simmons and her husband Eric of Lafayette; eight grandchildren, Clint Rutherford, Grant Rutherford, Leigh Rutherford, Ana Rutherford, Chase Stepp, Brock Stepp, Candace Rutherford and Lauren Rutherford; two step-grandchildren, Hunter Simmons and Hannah Simmons; and one great-grandchild, Bella Rutherford. He was preceded in death by his parents, O'Neal and Wanda Lee Rutherford; the mother of his children, Janette Rutherford; and a daughter, Lori Suzanne Petersen. Mr. Rutherford served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years. He was a basketball coach in Central and Northeast Arkansas and a textbook salesman for Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. He was currently the real estate broker/owner of The Rutherford Agency in Lafayette, served on many real estate board committees and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Lavern once wrote for a contest 'I'm not giving up on Louisiana until the pelican drowns.' That pelican turned out to be a good swimmer. He is also leaving behind his precious little dog 'Princess' who will never be the same without him. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude for the loving care and prayers provided for Lavern by Dr. Kenneth McCarron. The family also requests that visitation be observed on Tuesday from 5:00 until time of service. The Chapel is located at 201 W. Convent Street with additional parking on Lafayette Street. Memorial donations can be made to Miles Perret Services, 2130 Kaliste Saloom Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Lavern R. Rutherford

July 9, 1937 - December 23, 2010