JoAnne K. Rutherford, woman of faith
JoAnne K. (Barton) Rutherford, 77, of Georgetown, formerly of Anne Arundel County, Md., passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, surrounded by her family.
JoAnne was born and raised in Baltimore, daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Schierzka) Barton. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1977 with a master of education degree focusing on administration/supervision. After graduation, she embarked on a lifetime of teaching fifth grade in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County Schools. JoAnne retired from teaching in 1995 and, along with her husband Joe, made their home in Georgetown in 1998.
JoAnne’s love of teaching and faith in Christ never wavered; she was a member and very active with children’s ministries and church duties at both Lansdowne Alliance Church and Grace Church, where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and served as church secretary. She also served for over 40 years as a church organist. JoAnne had a love for flowers which she passed on to her children. She also enjoyed the art of painting.
In addition to her parents, JoAnne is preceded in death by her brother Joseph F. Barton; and two unborn grandchildren.
JoAnne is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Joseph A. Rutherford III; three adoring children, Angela L. Rutherford, Elise Marie Baab and husband Shad, and Anthony David Rutherford and fiancée Terri; the lights of her life, her six grandchildren, Alyssa Marie Baab, Noah Masters Baab, Emmy Belle Baab, Gavin Joseph Baab, Nicholas Matthew Rutherford and Jason Aiden Rutherford; and great-granddaughter, EllieAnne Jo Baab; two brothers, James Barton and wife Nancy, and Gerald Barton and wife Shirley; a sister-in-law, Shirley Barton (wife of Joseph “Buddy” Barton); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and church friends.
A funeral service will be held at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Short Funeral Services chapel, 416 Federal St., Milton. A time of visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at 2 p.m., at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, it was JoAnne’s request that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, stjude.org/donate.
Online condolences to the family are welcome at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
