Gladys Rutter of Mexico passed away on Tuesday, June 6 at King’s Daughters Home. She was 100 years old.
Gladys was born on January 25, 1923, to Robert and Mabel Allen James of Rush Hill, Mo. She attended Rush Hill Community Church until her marriage when she joined Hopewell Baptist Church in Thompson.
Upon graduating from high school in Wellsville, Gladys moved to Mexico where she worked in the offices of The International Shoe Company. In October of 1952, Gladys married CC Rutter of Mexico. She worked in their home until her youngest child started school, after which she joined CC at Rutter’s TV and Appliance.
Gladys retired with her husband in 1986, and they spent the following two years visiting national parks in their camper van. She was proud to say that she visited all 50 states. They enjoyed the next 20 years spending winters in Apache Junction, Ariz., and summers at home in Mexico. Gladys loved the time she spent in Arizona hiking in the Superstition Mountains. She will be remembered by family and friends for her gentle but persevering spirit, her selfless nature, her sweetness, and the amazing gratitude with which she greeted every day through all the seasons of her life. Her family will also remember her wicked-good coconut cream pie.
Gladys is survived by her children: Ken Rutter (Doris Bates), Carol Rutter Merrill (Charles E. Merrill), Curtis Rutter (Bobbi Bogart Rutter), and Joy Noorbakhsh (Mansour Noorbakhsh), and by her grandchildren: Paul Rutter, Elizabeth Merrill (Christian Waugh), Charlie C. Merrill, Catherine O’Brien (Michael O’Brien), Jamie Rutter, Charles Rutter, and Joe Noorbakhsh, and one great grandchild: Malcolm O’Brien.
She was preceded in death by her husband, CC Rutter, her sister, Mary Louise Davidson, and her parents.
Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, June 12 at Arnold Funeral Home. Gladys’s children and grandchildren will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.
The family requests memorial donations be made to King’s Daughters Home of Mexico, Mo. They may be sent in care of King’s Daughters Home, 620 W. Boulevard, Mexico, MO 65265.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com
