Services for Nancy Belle Rutherford, 81, of Ada are 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Revs. Joe Dixon and Toby Willoughby will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Rutherford passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016 at a local hospital.
Nancy was born October 26, 1935 at Lightning Ridge to Vance Daniel and Hazel Mina Henry Price. She attended school at Union Hill and graduated along with her future husband from Vanoss High School.
Nancy married Jimmy I. Rutherford June 13, 1953. He preceded her in death December 31, 2010.
Nancy and Jim were blessed with two children. Their son Rick was born September 21, 1954. Rick adopted the family’s rodeo ways and added three IPRA World Champion Team Roping titles to the three already acquired by dad, Jim. Rick passed away April 30, 2012 at the age of 57 years.
Daughter Twyla joined the family August 29, 1960. She was on horseback the same day and in her first rodeo three days later. Not to be outdone by the men in her family Twyla earned the PWRA Calf-Roping Championship in 1978. She became the 1985 All-Around Champion, 1982, 1985, and 1986 Team Roping Champion. Twyla passed away from complications of a stroke at age 45.
Anyone who knew Nancy knew she was all about family. Nancy didn’t rope or ride, but she provided the support a family of champions requires. Every day after work and school the horses came out and she accompanied her family to the roping pen for practice. Each road trip would find Nancy at the wheel often in the wee hours of the night. Attending roping competitions required hours of phone time getting entered once the line was finally free. Nancy did that. Homework had to be done after practice. Nancy’s children never let grades slip due to activities. Nancy’s family would be the first to tell you she was the glue that held her family together.
Survivors include a granddaughter, Casie Jo Kemp of Roland, OK; twin great-grandchildren, Camryn Hull and Cambrey Hull, Roland; two sisters, Anna Freeman and husband Ed and Genendal Hall, both of Ada; a brother, John Price of Ada; a niece, Beverly Rinehart and husband Rickey of Ada; a nephew, Chris Sutton and wife Michele of Ada; brother-in-law, Ted Rutherford of Stonewall; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son; daughter; and two brothers, Charles Leroy Price and Vance Douglas Price.
Bearers will be Rick Rinehart, Chris Sutton, Bucky Sutton, Josh Sutton, Tad Price and Tim Price.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
