Arvilla Rena Rutledge

Arvilla Rena Rutledge

Arvilla (Billie) Rena Morse Rutledge made her spiritual journey to join her loved ones on December 29, 2020. She was 93.

Born July 19, 1927 in Ortonville, Michigan to Zula V. Overly and George W. Morse, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Her sisters and brothers were Estella, Kenneth, George Robert, Zula (Blossom), Wilbur (Bud), Betty, and Arlene (Mickey), Hebert.

She married Richard E. Rutledge, Sr. resulting in the birth of six children, plus two adopted and two foster children: Edward Richard (deceased), Richard Elton Jr., Carol Jean, Donald John (deceased), Vicki Lynn, Pamela Dawn, Jo Ellen, Greg Allen, Jory Tremblay, and Mae Jensen. She had many grandchildren: Tracie, Erica, Jessica, Kelly, Kyndra, Richard III, Ronica, Charly, Nicole, Carrie, Chris, Audrey, Terry (deceased), Jason, Stephen, Nick, Alisha, Lydia, James, Amirah, Valerie, Sandra Jensen (deceased), Richard Jensen (deceased), 35 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Arvilla married Richard Rutledge in 1942 in Michigan. They traveled as missionaries to Alaska in 1960, first living in Fairbanks then settling in Nenana until 1975. A divorce led Arvilla to the Mat-Su Valley in the early ‘80s, where she retired from the Mat-Su School District and lived until her death. She was a great fisherwoman, a wonderful cook, superior card player, enjoyed bowling and ping-pong, loved all animals, and knew how to have fun. Her children and grandchildren were the greatest joys in her life, especially Alisha, who was the last of the tribe to be raised by her—they were an inseparable team! She used to say “‘It’s just you and me kid,” and you could count on her to always be there.

She was a kind, loving, generous, and loyal woman, a warrior and survivor. We will miss that smile and that sparkle in her eye.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Northern Comfort Assisted Living Home in Wasilla and to their family and staff who provided a safe and loving home in mom’s final years.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Billie’s life will be in Alaska this summer at a date to be determined. Although she seemed indestructible, God needed her.