Kenneth Eugene Rutherford Sr. was called to his eternal home on July 10, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Hudson, NC. He was born to the late Benjamin Rutherford and Ivey Hemphill on August 15, 1939. Kenneth was a member of Corpening Chapel AME Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge- Queen of the West #70, and the Lake James Fire Department. Kenneth is preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Lipscomb Rutherford, whom he was married to for 46 years; as well as his second wife, Betty Brown Rutherford, whom he was married to for 7 years. He is also preceded in death by his siblings.

Left to mourn his loss but cherish his memories are his children: Peggy Chambers (Wallace) of Morganton, Patsy Parks of Morganton, Sheila Rutherford of Morganton, Kenneth Rutherford Jr. (Cecilia) of Morganton; step-children: Vanessa Brown (Robert), Sonya Brown, and Greg Brown (April); Grandchildren: Wallace Chambers Jr., Victoria Chambers Lopez, Quintin Corpening, Channing Rutherford, Kenneth Rutherford III, Trey Rutherford, Laura Candice Corpening, Marlem Rutherford, Shad Rutherford, Patrick Aaron Parks, Nicholas Rutherford, and Trynton Rutherford; as well as Twenty-Five great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

A homegoing celebration will be held Tuesday July 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Corpening Memorial Chapel of McCain Funeral Home & Cremations, with Rev. Walter Pegues serving as the eulogist; interment will follow in the Corpening Chapel A.M.E. Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service.

The service will be live streamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A