Edith Rutledge Stoops
AUGUSTA – Edith Rutledge Stoops, 101 years, 10 months, 3 weeks, and 6 days of age, went to Heaven on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.
She was born Oct. 3, 1921, the daughter of Llewellyn O. and Rose Day Rutledge, in Roodhouse, Ill.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1976 from Gateway College of Evangelism, St. Louis, Mo., and a Master of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University in 1978. Of the 11,267 United Pentecostal Church International ministers in North America, she was the oldest at the time of her passing. She served with distinction as an Elder at the 1st United Pentecostal Church of Augusta for the past 20 years. She was a gifted songwriter and vocalist and recorded two projects. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. Most of all, she loved Jesus and was 100% Apostolic.
Edith was predeceased by her husband Resal T. Stoops, four sisters (Virginia Rutledge Sipes, Irene Rutledge Painter, Ina Rutledge Bell, Eunilah Rutledge Mean), two brothers Vivion Rutledge, Darrel “Gene” Rutledge; and a granddaughter Stacey Stoops Penrod.
She is survived by three sons, Ronald Stoops and his wife, Jane, Larry Stoops, Pastor Rick Stoops and his wife Shari, two daughters, Rev. Deanna Willhoite and her husband Rev. Jacky Willhoite, Rev. Sharon Walston. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Rutledge Glancy, her brother-in-law, Rev. John Mean; 30 grandchildren; 71 great grandchildren; 61 great great grandchildren; 2 great great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may visit at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St, Augusta, ME, Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 6 – 8 p.m.
A Going Home Celebration will be held at the 1st United Pentecostal Church of Augusta, 15 Wilson St, Thursday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. Bishop J. Marrell Cornwell of Wichita, Kan., will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd, Augusta.
Special thanks to family members, church family, friends, and hospice workers who went the extra mile, loving and supporting Edith in her time of need. Heaven keeps good records.
Memories, condolences, and photos may be shared with the family at http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
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