Lealer Rutledge

LEALER RUTLEDGE, the daughter of James and Pearl (McClendon) Bias, was born Friday, March 9, 1917, in Bremen, Georgia. She was the tenth of fourteen children, six brothers and seven sisters and was affectionately called “Lela” by family and friends. The Bias family later moved to Gadsden, Alabama. Lealer, who was a young girl, often reflected how they traveled by mule and wagon to the train station. In Alabama, she met the love of her life, Mr. Robert Rutledge. They were both young, fell in love, and were united in holy matrimony in January 1936. Robert was seeking a better life for him and his bride, so he joined his brother, John Henry Rutledge, in Columbus, Ohio. Robert sent for Lealer several months later. Robert and Lealer were blessed with seven children, Nonie, Clifford, Robert Jr., Barron, Benson, Shirley, and Merlin. Sister Rutledge joined the Love Zion Baptist Church when it was located at the Arsenal Street location, and she was a member for more than seventy years. This dedicated servant of God worked the vineyard in many capacities. She served on the Usher Board and Nurses’ Corps, taught Sunday School, and sang in the Ladies Chorus. Lealer was also a Deaconess and was extremely honored to serve as Church Mother. Lealer enjoyed many old school gospel artists including Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers, The Sensational Nightingales, and Wings Over Jordan. Her favorite group, however, was The Mighty Clouds of Joy. Her soul got happy when she heard their music. Through her children, Lealer also enjoyed rock and roll and was partial to the Temptations. Lealer loved family gatherings. In the early 1970’s, she organized and hosted the First Annual Bias McClendon Family Reunion, which was held at Blendon Woods in Columbus, Ohio. It is still an annual event. Her commitment to staying in touch in family continued beyond the reunions. After Robert retired in the 1970’s, the couple downsized into a smaller home, and decided to motor around the country visiting relatives. This wife, mother, and homemaker diligently worked to help in caring for her family. Lealer was employed at the Defense Construction and Supply Center (DCSC), worked as an election poll officer, and was a licensed cosmetologist. Lealer experienced her share of grief during her lifetime. Her parents, siblings, and husband all passed. However, the most devastating was the loss of her son, Benson, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. Lealer was honored as a Gold Star Mother following this tragedy. “JUST KEEP ON LIVING AND YOU’LL FIND OUT” was a favorite quote of Lealer. She lived her life on her own terms — no muss/no fuss. Blessed with 103 years of life, our beloved Lealer Rutledge answered her call to glory on Saturday, October 31, 2020. She has joined the Church Triumphant! Lealer was predeceased by her parents, James and Pearl (McClendon) Bias; husband of seventy years, Robert Rutledge, Sr.; sons, Barron Rutledge and Benson James Rutledge; brothers, Abner Bias, Charlie Bias, Ellis Bias, Elmer Bias, William Bias, and Roy Bias; sisters, Bertha Lee Bias, Adell Patterson, Annie Bias Walker, Naomi Bias Keith, Fannie Bias Young, and Pearl Bias Allen. Celebrating her life and legacy are her daughters, Nonie L. Cradle, Shirley (Nate) Williams, and Merlin Rutledge; sons, Clifford Rutledge and Robert Rutledge Jr.; sister, Effie Bias Coats of Gadsden, Alabama; grandchildren, Ernessa Hines, Donna Rutledge, Rodney Rutledge, Ken Rutledge, Tony Rutledge, Nila Rutledge, Lamont Rutledge, Andrew Benson Rutledge, Brock Rutledge, Barron Rutledge Jr., and Michael Rutledge; and a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends. WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.