Obituary of Sandra Jean Rutledge

Rutledge, Sandra Jean “Sandy” (Christopher), age 79, of St. Petersburg, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, February 15, 2019.   Sandy was born on April 27th, 1939 in Rich Hill, Missouri.  Sandy was raised in Rich Hill and Kansas City, Missouri then moved to Wichita, Kansas after she was married.  She also lived with her husband, James Norman Rutledge and children in Boulder, Colorado and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  In 1972, they relocated to St. Petersburg.  Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Santford and Frances Christopher; her brother, Robert Christopher; her first husband, James Norman Rutledge (married 31 years) and her second husband, Robert Klos. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Goding (Rutledge) and her husband Jon Goding; son, James Mark Rutledge; five grandchildren, Eric Goding, Rachel Goding, Emily Grace Rutledge, James William Rutledge and Elizabeth Kate Rutledge, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Sandy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community volunteer, and friend who loved to entertain. She was an active member of Riviera United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg. She began her career as an administrative assistant. In 1987, she completed her BA from Eckerd College and worked as an administrator at Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.  She was very independent, a woman of faith, an amazing mother and grandmother, and loving individual. She loved spending time with family and friends, cooking, entertaining, snow skiing, and traveling. She was an avid reader and bridge player. She was very proud of her grandchildren, which were her pride and joy. A visitation will be held at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home 2201 Dr. ML King St. N. on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 5-7pm with a funeral service at First United Methodist Church 212 3^rd St N St. Petersburg, FL 33701 on Friday, February 22, 2019 at at 11AM followed by a burial at Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made First United Methodist Church or American Cancer Society.