We respectfully announce the passing of Ms. Thelma Rutledge, age 85, on Monday, June 26, 2023 at her residence in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM, St. Mary United Methodist Church located at 100 Pine Street in Hogansville, Georgia.

The Family will receive friends from 12 Noon until the hour of service at the Church.

Rev. Elaine Gilbert, Pastor and Rev. Robert Talley, Eulogist.

Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Public viewing will be Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

Ms. Thelma Rutledge, 85, peacefully passed away in the early hours on Monday, June 26. She was born to the late Minnie Lee Moody and Ike Rutledge on January 22, 1938 in Hogansville, GA. Thelma's parents had a total of fifteen children of which eleven preceded her in death.

Due to health conditions that she faced throughout her life, Thelma worked many years as a homemaker. She loved to cook and bake. Thelma was known for her delicious sweet potato pies. Several have tried but no one was able to duplicate her pie recipe. She was also an avid gardener. She loved all kinds of plants and flowers. Thelma had a green thumb like no other. She could talk for hours about gardening. In addition to cooking, baking, and gardening; she also had a special gift for playing numbers. The cash three is the one she played the most. She won often. Thelma loved her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to her eleven siblings, Thelma was preceded in death by her son Randy Morgan, a daughter that passed away as an infant, and a grandson Master Tyler Rutledge.

Thelma's memory will be cherished by the family she leaves behind. Her siblings Mandy Heard of Grantville, GA; Annie (James) Hall of LaGrange, Ga; and Katie-Bell Rutledge of Atlanta, Ga. Her children, James (Lucy) Rutledge of Newnan, Ga; Michael Rutledge of Atlanta, Ga; Anthony (Tammy) Rutledge of Grantville, Ga; Venita Lakes of Atlanta, Ga; Nicholas (Connie) Morgan of LaGrange, Ga; and Dexter (Jennifer) Rutledge of Jonesboro, Ga. A special niece Sarah-Kate Tigner of Hogansville, Ga and a special cousin Kenny Grisom of Atlanta, Ga. Thelma will also be missed dearly by her grandchildren James Rutledge Jr (Body) of Newnan, Ga; Travis (Jasmine) Terrell, DeMarkus Lakes, Terrell Daniel all of Atlanta, Ga, Deshaun Rutledge of Newnan, Ga; Tavaris Johnson of Grantville, Ga; LaQuavis Cameron (Qua) of Atlanta, Ga, JaQuannis Rutledge of Folkston, Ga; Austin Rutledge of Newnan, Ga; Royalty Wyche of Thomasville, Ga, and Calvin Rutledge of Jonesboro, Ga. Great grandchildren Travis Terrell Jr (TJ), Tavarree Terrell, Tahj Terrell, Tiffany Rutledge, Tavanna Rutledge, Destiny Rutledge, and Novanna Rutledge, along with a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Thrash and Sons Funeral Home.