Richard E. “Dowd” Rutherford, 82, of the Denton Valley community, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at his home.
Dowd was born June 15, 1936, in Sullivan County, Tenn., to the late Robert Simon Rutherford and Margaret Lee Eldreth Rutherford. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by two brothers, James S. Rutherford and Don Rutherford; sister, Jewel Rutherford Montgomery; brothers-in-law, Joe Widner, Alfred Price, and Lewis Montgomery; sisters-in-law, Ruby Rutherford Whitaker.
He was a lifelong resident of the Denton Valley community. Dowd owned and operated a Sawmill for many years and enjoyed farming and also had a deep appreciation for Bluegrass Music. He attended South Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Wayne Rutherford and wife, Lola and Danny Rutherford and wife, Tanya all of Bristol, Tenn.; one daughter, Eugena Rutherford of Bristol, Tenn.; one daughter, Leann Watson Reed and husband, Jason of Farmville, Va.; three sisters, Goldie Widner, Joyce Price and Ruth Hall and husband, Ron all of Bristol, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Greg Rutherford and fiancé Christina Helton, Kim Chafin and husband Jarrod, Nicole Price and husband Robby, David Rutherford, Mary Statzer, and Justin Crosswhite; five step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; also, several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Amedysis Hospice, especially Logan Canter and Tammy Taylor. Also, niece Sandy Keen and husband Marty for the special care shown to him and the family.
Visitation will be held from 1 pm until 3 pm Sunday, December 16, 2018 at South Chapel Church. A funeral service will follow at 3 pm with Pastor Paul Maines, Brother Sloan Lambert, and Brother Floyd Nelson. Burial will follow in the Potter Cemetery on Dentons Valley Road. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be, Gary Woods, Arvle Woods, Terry Rutherford, Jimmy Potter and Ricky Price.
Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 250 East Main Street, Abingdon, Va. 24210 is honored to serve the Rutherford family.