John Lawrence Rutledge

John Lawrence Rutledge, 88, was called home on April 9, 2013, to be in God's presence. He was born on April 18, 1924 in Yadkinville, NC to the late William E. Rutledge and Lola Shore Rutledge. He graduated from Yadkinville High School, Mars Hill College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During WWII, he served for three years as a member of the Fleet Marine Force, a branch of the Navy that supplied medical aid to the Navy and the Marines. John specialized in setting up and operating field hospitals in Guam and other islands in the Pacific. After graduating from UNC, John was married to Nancy Lee Presnell, a pediatric nurse from Pilot Mountain, NC. She was the daughter of Quaker Minister, William Clarkson Presnell and Laura Patterson Presnell. Nancy was the love of his life and they had two children, Marty and John Jr., who were their pride and joy. Nancy died July 21, 1998. They were married 49 years and 3 months. John was employed by Eckerd Drug Stores in April 1949, starting at the Trade St. store in Winston-Salem. He helped open many stores in this region including the Thruway Shopping Center store. John was transferred to Charleston, SC, to open that market for Eckerd. In 1966, he was transferred back to Winston-Salem and eventually became an Assistant Vice President over 23 stores. John retired in 1980 after 32 years of great service to Eckerd Drug. He is survived by a daughter, Martha (Marty) Munt (Bob) and children Chris (Deanna), Helen (Joe) and Daniel of Raleigh, NC, and a son, John L. Rutledge Jr. (Cindy) and children, Ross and Andy of Greensboro, NC; and great grandchildren, Alex Warren, Melissa Warren and Stephanie Munt, all of Raleigh, NC. He was predeceased by his brother, Bill Rutledge and sisters, Nell McCauley and Grace Hamrick. He is survived by many special nieces and nephews, all of whom were his ""favorites"". Retirement brought him time for many activities including the building of an organ for his Church, Fries Memorial Moravian. This 4 year project was a source of great pride and companionship with his fellow workers. He also sold his woodworking pieces and volunteered at the Cricket's Nest in Winston-Salem. He loved the extra time that retirement allowed him to spend with his children and grandchildren. John was very active in his Church, serving as an elder for 30 years, as Vice-Chairman for 25 years and a member of the church choir for 40 years. His Faith guided his life both at work and at home. He loved God and believed Christ was the Answer. John was also fortunate to have some very special people in his life, 2 cousins, Nellie Gray Foster and V.A. Shore, and a very special friend, Audrey Reavis. A service to celebrate John's life will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Fries Memorial Moravian Church with the Reverends Kelly and Joe Moore officiating. A graveside service will follow in Salem Moravian Graveyard. The family will receive friends before the service at 1:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fries Memorial Moravian Church, 251 North Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27104. John loved his God, his family and his life, and he was loved greatly in return.

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