Charlene Yvonne Rutherford

Funeral Services for Mrs. Charlene Yvonne Rutherford, 88, of Tishomingo, Oklahoma will be held on Monday, August 20th, 2012 at 2:00 p. m. in the Clark Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Keith McIntyre officiating. Interment will follow in the Tishomingo Cemetery. Mrs. Rutherford passed away on August 17th, 2012 at her home. Charlene was born on July 30th, 1924 in Milburn, Oklahoma to W. Marvin and Elsie T. Farmer. She graduated with honors from Milburn High School in May of 1942. She was the Senior Class prophet, and received the Honor letter in American Literature. She was awarded a certificate of membership her senior year to the Oklahoma High School Honors Society by the State Board of Education. In 1942, Charlene was observed at a dance in Milburn by Reginald Edgar "Eddie" Rutherford Jr., who let it be known that he wanted to date her. Sha and a friend traveled to Tishomingo so she "could have a look at Eddie". When she saw him she, "wanted to date him also". "I went to Eddie's Senior Prom in a deep turquoise dress." Charlene Farmer and Eddie Rutherford married on August 5th, 1943, a few days before Eddie and other boys from Tishomingo left for Ft. Sill to register for service in the U. S. Army (August 30th, 1943). Both Charlene and Eddie established themselves in business in Tishomingo by the late 1940's. Eddie was a rancher and part owner of the Tishomingo Abstract business. He also served two terms as Mayor of Tishomingo from 1959-1963. Charlene's career in the banking business began in April 1945. She was an officer in the First State Bank in Tishomingo (now Landmark Bank) beginning in 1949. In 1966, she became the Principle Administrative Officer of the First State Bank, "a position that few women hold" (Capital-Democrat, 1966). By her retirement in 1982, she was the Executive Vice-President of the First State Bank of Tishomingo. After her retirement from the banking business, she opened Marty's Dress and Gift Shop in downtown Tishomingo. She enjoyed trips to market in Dallas and other places where she shopped for her store. Charlene ran Marty's until the late 1990's when she retired to care for her husband, Eddie. Eddie and Charlene loved to travel by car through out the United States, particularly the western states. They also enjoyed taking off in the evening for a meal in Durant, Sherman or Ardmore. After a good meal, they loved to drive around and enjoy the countryside of Johnston, Murray and Carter counties. They loved the land and the people of southern Oklahoma. Her parents W. Marvin and Elsie T. (Hensley) Farmer and her husband Eddie Rutherford, preceded Charlene in death. She is survived by three nieces, Jenna Jo Hellack, Sherry Farris and Cheryl Dill; a nephew, Mike Hellack; and numerous first and second cousins including, Jerrell Heath and Dennis Martin. Pallbearers for the service will be: Eddie Black, Billy Alexander, Richard Dill, Mike Hellack, Dennis Martin and Charlie Locke. Visitation and viewing for Mrs. Rutherford will be held on Sunday, August 19th, from 2-4 pm and on Monday, August 20th, from 8:30 am until service time at 2:00 p. m.

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Charlene Yvonne Rutherford

July 30, 1924 - August 17, 2012