Alice Simison Rutland

Alice S. Rutland, 81, a native and resident of Mount Vernon, Alabama passed away December 7, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. Alice worked at and retired from Searcy Hospital where she worked as a laboratory technician. She was a lifelong member of the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church. She was the first female in the State of Alabama, to serve as the president of a rescue squad, a position she held in the Mount Vernon Rescue Squad. She served as a statistician for the Mount Vernon Dixie Youth Baseball Association, President of the Mount Vernon Beautification Committee and the Treasurer of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Society. She spent untold hours as a volunteer for these various organizations. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Duke and Doris Simison; her husband, Jimmy L. Rutland; her daughter, Tracy I. Sheffield; grandson, Clay Sheffield; a step grandson, Sonny Sheffield; and one sister, Gayle S. Long. Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Tony Rutland (Katina Dungan), Ray Rutland (Linda) and Joseph Rutland (Roxanne Lourcey); grandchildren, Hope (Andy) Creekmore, Jeromy (Lacey) Rutland, Sean (Kortnie) Rutland, Chad Sheffield, Brandon (Ashley) Sheffield, Anthony (Rhonda) Sheffield, Corey Rutland, Kaitlin Rutland (K.J. Sullivan), Emma Rutland (Joseph Parnell) and Abby Rutland; 16 great grandchildren; sisters, Dianne Murphy, Peggy Dunagan, Linda Robbins, Joyce (Donnie) Walker and Susanne (Gene) Harrell; other relatives and friends. The visitation will be held from 10am – 11am and the funeral service will begin at 11am on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church with Rev. Matthew Cook and Rev. Clyde Pressley officiating. Cookie Kellam, pianist and special music by Rhonda Goldman. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Community Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Tony Rutland, Ray Rutland, Joe Rutland, Gene Harrell IV, Chris Walker, Jeremy Rutland and Jason Harrell. Honorary pallbearers will be Richie McLain, Sean Rutland and Corey Rutland. Online condolences may be given at www.freemancitronelle.com. Freeman Funeral Home – Citronelle, Alabama.