Joanne Kathryn Rutherford

JoAnne K. Rutherford, 77

GEORGETOWN, DE, (Formerly of Anne Arundel County, MD) – JoAnne K. (Barton) Rutherford passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 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 Masters 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, 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 on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal Street, Milton, DE 19968. A time of visitation will begin at 11:00am. Interment will immediately follow at 2:00pm at the 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 or online at https://www.stjude.org/donate

Online condolences to the family are welcome at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com