Emma Belle Rutherford Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Emma Bell Rutherford, age 82 of Higginsville, Missouri died on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at her home. Born Friday, March 23, 1928 in Columbus, Missouri, she was the daughter of the late Moman Wallace McNeel and the late Demetris Oneta Barnett McNeel. Emma Belle McNeel was born at the farm home, one mile west of Columbus, Missouri. Emma attended four public grade schools in Johnson county and two years of high school at College High in Warrensburg, Missouri. At age fifteen her family moved to Lafayette County, southwest of Higginsville at the present Maple Leaf Lake location. Several months later, a boy and his mother moved to the neighboring farm. This boy was Forrest Rutherford and he and Emma began dating March 11, 1944. They were united in marriage one year later on March 12, 1945. The couple moved to their first little home in Aullville, Missouri with their little baby daughter, Jackie Sue. They resided in Aullville until March 8, 1984 when they moved to a farm they owned southeast of Corder, Missouri. They then moved into a new home they built in Higginsville on February 13, 1992. Emma Belle worked eight months for Sunshine Biscuit Company in Kansas City while in her teens. She worked 1 1/2 years at the Concordia, Missouri Garment Factory, but most of her life, she was a busy mother and housewife, cooking many meals for Forrest's farm help. She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, crocheting and other fancy work and crafts. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at age 27 years. She grew in her Christian life by listening to the Back to the Bible Broadcast and studying her Bible, along with the sermons and studies of the program. A great change came into her life and she became active in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, learning and teaching. She helped with church camp many years. Emma Belle became a pastor's wife when Forrest gave his life to Jesus and was later called into the ministry. She was preceded in death by her mother, and infant brother, Elmer Wallace, when Emma was five years of age; Her father and step-mother Virginia who also raised her; brother William (Bill) McNeel and half-brother, James (J.W.) McNeel. She is survived by Husband Forrest Franklin Rutherford of the home, daughter, Jackie & Husband Danny Crawford of Concordia, Missouri; 4 grand daughters, Justine VerDught; Jeanette & Husband Gerald Goodman, Julie & Husband Steve Duben; Jamie Husband Wes Homfeld; step-grandson Jeffrey Crawford; 18 great grand children, and 13 great-great grandchildren. A Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at First Baptist Church, Higginsville with the Dr. Greg Fine officiating & Rev. Jim Short, Assisting. Musicians include Thelma Dye, Organist; Jolene Vereecke, Pianist, Dennis Million and Aubree Huffman, Vocalists and Eric Goodman, Trumpeter. Burial will be in City Cemetery, Higginsville, The family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at First Baptist Church, Higginsville, The Family suggests Memorials to Back To The Bible Broadcast PO Box 82808 Lincoln, NE 68501. Burial will be in City Cemetery, Higginsville, Pallbearers include Eric Goodman, Jerod Goodman, Sawyer VerDught, Blayne Homfeld, Michael McNeel, and Sam McNeel. Arrangements: Hoefer Funeral Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hoeferfuneralhome.com

Emma Belle Rutherford

March 23, 1928 - June 17, 2010