Brenda Rutledge

Brenda Rutledge, 58, of Portland, died Thursday, January 2, 2025, surrounded by her family, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Mrs. Rutledge was born January 26, 1966 in Wabash, Indiana, was a resident of Portland for the past 56 years and a 1984 graduate of Portland High School. She previously worked at Doug's Fried Chicken for 26 years, was the Owner and Operator of Brenda's Takeout for over five years and was currently working in the Loan Department at the Bank of Lake Village for over 10 years. Mrs. Rutledge was a member of the Portland Baptist Church. Her number one joy was being a Maw Maw and spending as much time as possible with her kids, grandkids, niece and nephews. Her favorite time of the year was Christmas. She looked forward to the preparation and decorating for Christmas, but most of all, spoiling her grandbabies. Mrs. Rutledge enjoyed camping, sitting on her back porch watching the hummingbirds, working in the flower beds, tending to her many flower pots, floating in the swimming pool and shopping. 

She is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Sue Lucas Carpenter Hill; her step-father, Doug Carpenter; her father, Steve Lucas; her brother, Steven Jay Lucas, Jr.; her maternal grandmother, Lily Lucas and her paternal grandmother, Katie Lucas.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, George Rutledge of Portland; three sons, Vinnie Rutledge and wife, Haley, of Portland, Aaron Rutledge and wife, Ashley, of Lake Village and Holden Rutledge and wife, Hope, of Hamburg; her brother, Kirk D. Carpenter of Portland; six grandchildren, Forrest, Willow, James, Lily, Hagen and Hogan and her niece and nephews, Mady Carpenter, Hunter Carpenter and Maverick Carpenter.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Portland Baptist Church with Bro. Mark Harris and Bro. Jeff Foster officiating.  Burial will be in the Portland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Smiley Mondragon, Jared Pieroni, John Newcome, Clifton Barry, Gary Morgan and Taylor Young. Memorials may be made to the Portland Cemetery. c/o Marcia Vestal, 100 HWY 160, Portland, AR 71663. 

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., Monday at the church.