Katherine Carmen Rutherford

Katherine Carmen Rutherford, 89 of Knoxville passed away quietly at her home with her family at her bedside following complications from kidney disease. Kathy or Aunt Kakhi as she was known to her family, was born April 23, 1928. She was the youngest child of Aaron Fredrick and Dora Williams Eledge. Her mother died when Kathy was a small child and she lived with various family members until she turned fourteen when she went to live with her older sister, Blanche. She maintained a love for people and enjoyed doing for others. Aunt Kakhi will be remembered for her family dinners, non-judgmental spirit, unconditional love, fierce loyalty and feisty disposition. She was always concerned about her family members’ lives and never forgot an important date. She was a lifelong member of Sharon Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Trula and Rev. W.C. Wells, Blanche and Shirley (Mac) McBride; brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Bobbie Eledge; nephew, Eugene Wells; niece, Betty Wells Grissom and husband Don; grand-nephews Brett Eason and Brian Wells. Mourning her passing are her loving husband of 65 years, James F. Rutherford; devoted nephew and niece, Freddy McBride (Becky), Jane McBride Eason (Dick) who provided tender loving care throughout her extended illness. Additional survivors include her son, Gary (Patrice) Smith; granddaughters, Leslie, Rachel and families; nephews, Ron and David Wells; niece, Dora Wells Love and a host of great nieces, grand nephews and life-long friend Jean McNeely. We as a family are most grateful to her faithful friend and caregiver, Darlene Bergerson. The family will receive friends from 10am to 11am Wednesday, June 14, 2017 with a service to follow at Sharon Baptist Church, 7916 Pedigo Rd, Knoxville, TN 37938. Dr. James Robertson will be officiating. Her final committal will follow the services in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the church cemetery fund to the address above. Online condolences may be shared at www.mynattfh.com who is entrusted with these service arrangements.