Val Routon

Amelia Valdeaurine (Val) Rucker Routon died March 11, 2015. Born August 6, 1917 in Carroll County, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Edmund Birten Rucker and Velma Patterson Rucker. An alumnus of the University of Tennessee at Martin, she was a public school teacher for 5 years, and was later employed by the State of Tennessee, Department of Human Services, for 27 years as a Senior Social Counselor.  Eight years after retirement, she returned to work as a Child/Family Advocate with Tennessee Cares, retiring at the age of 83.  In 1957, she and her late husband established a farming interest on land that had been in the Routon family for over 150 years.

Active in community and civic affairs, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Paris, the Quota Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Colonial Dames. In addition, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the Girls’ Chorus. She also served on the original committee, headed by the late Susan Kennon, which led to the establishment of the Cary Counseling Center, and she later served as a board member for that center.

Last year County Mayor Brent Greer awarded her the Patriot’s Award for outstanding service to the Paris Community.    Devoted to her own family, she was also long-time advocate for children and their families.

On June 2, 1940, Val married Stephen James Routon, Jr. , who died September 15, 2001.  She is survived by 3 children: Gini Routon Williams of River Forest, Illinois. Stephanie Routon Tayloe (Keith Paschall) , and Richard Rucker Routon (Sheila); seven grandchildren: Thomas Routon Williams of Los Angeles, Dr. Arthur Burton Williams (Alaine) of Loveland, Ohio; James Curtis Williams (Jessica) of Chicago; Jill Routon Wilson (Andy) of McKenzie;  Richard Matthew Routon (Emily) of Murfreesboro, TN., Joshua James Routon, and Kristen Routon Bevill (Adam);  10 great-grand-children: Theodore Curtis Williams of Chicago, IL,  Nathaniel James Williams and Amelia Elaine Williams of Loveland, Ohio; Spellings Andrew Wilson, Richard Clay Wilson, and Routon Scott Wilson of McKenzie; Thalia Emil McInnis Routon of Meridian, Miss.; Bricen Rucker May, Penelope Bevill,  Adam Jarrett Bevill and  Mason James Routon, all of Paris.

Preceding her in death were a sister, Viginia Rucker Routon (Joe), three brothers: Edmund Birten Rucker (Louise), Dr. Henry Rucker (Louise), and Robert Patterson Rucker (Mary), and a son-in-law Samuel Albert Tayloe.

Visitation will be at Ridgeway Funeral Home from 4-8p.m. on Friday March 13.  Visitation Saturday March 14 will be at First Baptist Church after 9 am until the service.      The funeral service will be held at 11 o’clock Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Paris.    Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.

Larry Simmons of First Baptist Church will officiate.     Pallbearers will be   Matthew Routon,  Joshua Routon,  Van Rucker,  Arthur Williams,  Curtis Williams,  Andrew Wilson,  Nathaniel Williams,  Tim Huggins, Phil Routon, and Ed Routon.    Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Clay Wilson,  Bricen Rucker May,  Theodore Williams,  Routon Scott Wilson,  Adam Jarrett Bevill,  Mason James Routon.

Memorials may be made to: Quota Club Scholarship Fund,  P.O. Box 301, Paris, Tennessee  or  First Baptist Church Men's Ministry, 303 North Poplar St.,  Paris, TN  38242.

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