Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Name“Peggy” Masuko UMATANI 
3, Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge
3, Masuko (Peggy) Umatani RutledgeBirthSep 26, 1931, Tokyo, Japan3, Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge
DeathOct 30, 20103, Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge
Obituary Online notes for “Peggy” Masuko UMATANI
11/2/2010
Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge
DURHAM — Mrs. Masuko Umatani Rutledge, age 79, died peacefully on October 30, 2010 surrounded by her family. To most, she was known as “Peggy” and always wore a smile. She was born September 26, 1931 in Tokyo, Japan and moved to the United States in 1953. She was welcomed in heaven by her loving husband, Clifford Russell Rutledge and daughter, Judy Rutledge.
She was preceded in death by her father, Masutaro Tamura,hermother,YoshieUmatani Tozaki stepfather, Ichizo Tozaki and sister,Chizuko Suzuki.
To rejoice her being, she leaves behind her sons, Clifford Rutledge and Henry Rutledge (Tammy); and daughters, Ada Baker (Bill) of Inverness, Florida, Betty Pendergrass, Mary Page (Brian), Sharon Whitesell (Gary)of Burlington, N.C., and Peggy Wilkison.
Masuko is also survived by an identical twin sister, Yasuko Harris, of Augusta, Georgia. She adored her nine grandchildren, Russell Rutledge, Ryan Rutledge (Megan), Nikko Pendergrass (Jesse), Erika Cigary (Jesse), Jesse Whitesell, Zandra Pendergrass, Jared Page, Samantha Wilkison, Andrew Wilkison; and great-grandchild, Dillon Boutchyard and treasured her nieces, nephews and their children. She loved and deeply appreciated her dear longtime friend, Vera Scott.
Masuko became a Christian as a teenager in Japan. She was an active member of Grey Stone Baptist Church until her health declined. One of her most cherished achievements was becoming a U.S. citizen in 1990 and she was honored to carry the U.S. flag during an Independence Day ceremony at Grey Stone. Her greatest joy in life was time spent with her family. She enjoyed classical music, family pets, and her personal “therapy dog” Gus.
With God’s mercy and strength, she courageously survived various cancers since the first onset in 1988 as well as many other health challenges. She handled all obstacles in her special humorous and entertaining way. The family was blessed with her laughter and joy to the very end.
The family wishes to thank her oncologist Dr. Michael Morse for many years of specialized care. In the last year, she received outstanding care from her urologist and favorite surgeon, Dr. Michael Nicolo Ferrandino.We are also grateful for the care provided at The Oaks Assisted Living in Burlington where she resided this past year.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 5 at 1 p.m. at Grey Stone Baptist Church in Durham. The service will be officiated by Dr. Clay Waters and Dr. Malbert Smith Jr. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the church dining hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations (in her memory) may be directed to Grey Stone Baptist Church, 2601 Hillsborough Road, Durham, N.C. 27705 or Dava Lee Russell Ministries at P.O. Box 231, Jonesborough, Tenn. 37659-0231. Masuko lived by the power of Jesus Christ, her personal Savior, and both of these ministries were special to her.
The family is being assisted by Cremation Society of the Carolinas.
3, Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge
Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge
DURHAM — Mrs. Masuko Umatani Rutledge, age 79, died peacefully on October 30, 2010 surrounded by her family. To most, she was known as “Peggy” and always wore a smile. She was born September 26, 1931 in Tokyo, Japan and moved to the United States in 1953. She was welcomed in heaven by her loving husband, Clifford Russell Rutledge and daughter, Judy Rutledge.
She was preceded in death by her father, Masutaro Tamura,hermother,YoshieUmatani Tozaki stepfather, Ichizo Tozaki and sister,Chizuko Suzuki.
To rejoice her being, she leaves behind her sons, Clifford Rutledge and Henry Rutledge (Tammy); and daughters, Ada Baker (Bill) of Inverness, Florida, Betty Pendergrass, Mary Page (Brian), Sharon Whitesell (Gary)of Burlington, N.C., and Peggy Wilkison.
Masuko is also survived by an identical twin sister, Yasuko Harris, of Augusta, Georgia. She adored her nine grandchildren, Russell Rutledge, Ryan Rutledge (Megan), Nikko Pendergrass (Jesse), Erika Cigary (Jesse), Jesse Whitesell, Zandra Pendergrass, Jared Page, Samantha Wilkison, Andrew Wilkison; and great-grandchild, Dillon Boutchyard and treasured her nieces, nephews and their children. She loved and deeply appreciated her dear longtime friend, Vera Scott.
Masuko became a Christian as a teenager in Japan. She was an active member of Grey Stone Baptist Church until her health declined. One of her most cherished achievements was becoming a U.S. citizen in 1990 and she was honored to carry the U.S. flag during an Independence Day ceremony at Grey Stone. Her greatest joy in life was time spent with her family. She enjoyed classical music, family pets, and her personal “therapy dog” Gus.
With God’s mercy and strength, she courageously survived various cancers since the first onset in 1988 as well as many other health challenges. She handled all obstacles in her special humorous and entertaining way. The family was blessed with her laughter and joy to the very end.
The family wishes to thank her oncologist Dr. Michael Morse for many years of specialized care. In the last year, she received outstanding care from her urologist and favorite surgeon, Dr. Michael Nicolo Ferrandino.We are also grateful for the care provided at The Oaks Assisted Living in Burlington where she resided this past year.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 5 at 1 p.m. at Grey Stone Baptist Church in Durham. The service will be officiated by Dr. Clay Waters and Dr. Malbert Smith Jr. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the church dining hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations (in her memory) may be directed to Grey Stone Baptist Church, 2601 Hillsborough Road, Durham, N.C. 27705 or Dava Lee Russell Ministries at P.O. Box 231, Jonesborough, Tenn. 37659-0231. Masuko lived by the power of Jesus Christ, her personal Savior, and both of these ministries were special to her.
The family is being assisted by Cremation Society of the Carolinas.
3, Masuko (Peggy) Umatani Rutledge