Mr. Ezra Charles "Chalee" Rutherford

Mr. Ezra Charles "Chalee" Rutherford a devoted husband, beloved father and decorated Vietnam Veteran went to be with his Heavenly Father on July 20, 2008 at Mount Carmel East Hospital in Columbus Ohio. He was born on January 12, 1951 in McDowell County to the late Gilbert Rutherford and Lottie O’Neal Rutherford. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Edward Rutherford, and Thomas Rutherford; sisters, Annie Francis and Ethel Avery.Mr. Rutherford was a member of the St. John’s AME church. He had graduated from McDowell Technical College with a electrical Degree and had attended Ohio State University for two years. He retired with thirty years of services from General Motors as a journeyman, where he won numerous awards. He was over Communications in the Ohio National Air Guard at Rickenbacker Air Force Base for many years. A Vietnam Veteran, "Chalee" earned numerous medals. He loved to play his Guitar, sky dive travel and drive race cars at Daytona Race Way.He is survived by his wife, Jean Poole Rutherford of the home; daughter, Amy Nicole Rutherford of the home; brothers, James Rutherford and wife, Lynell of Nebo, Robert Rutherford of Forest City and Dan Rutherford and wife, Lucille of Marion, Lewis Rutherford of Nebo, Arell Rutherford and wife, Peggy of Shelby, Melton Rutherford of Columbus, Ohio, and Sidney Rutherford of Morganton; a host of aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; mother and father in-law, Cynthia D. and Walter M. Poole and a number of sisters and brother in-laws.A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, July 25, 2008 at St. John’s A.M.E. Church with the Reverends Debra Smith, Tommy Carpenter and Willis Camp officiating. Burial will follow at McElrath A.M.E. Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.