Belva Dene (Heilman) Rutherford

Belva Rutherford, age 82, of Coleman, died Monday, September 5, 2022, at Hendrick Medical Center in Brownwood.

The family will host a time of visitation and reflection from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Family and friends are invited to a funeral service immediately following the visitation at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Bob Martin, pulpit minister at Elm Street Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will follow in the Rockwood Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.

She was born Belva Dene Heilman on December 11, 1939, in Rockwood, Texas to Sherman “Penny” Heilman and Iris “Kitty” Ellis Heilman. She grew up in Rockwood and graduated from Santa Anna High School. Belva married Hilary Rutherford on March 7, 1959, in Coleman.

Belva was a woman of great talents. She was an expert seamstress and taught herself calligraphy. Belva wrote many high school diplomas and invitations with her calligraphy. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, oil painting, and cooking. Belva was known to make the best candy during the Christmas holiday. She was also known to have an ample stock of Dr. Pepper in her possession. Belva loved treating her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with candy and a cold Dr. Pepper. She was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother, and was a member of Elm Street Church of Christ.

Preceding Belva in death are her parents; two brothers, James “Sonny” Heilman and Bobby Lee Heilman; and two sisters, Opal Harmes and Marie Fulbright Vaughn.

She is survived by her husband, Hilary Rutherford of Coleman; one son, Rocky Rutherford and wife Patti of Trickham; one daughter, Dena Boatright and husband Bob of Brownwood; six grandchildren, Denea Thomason and husband Josh, Paige McClellan and husband Patrick, Jeremy Longbotham and wife Julia, Justin Longbotham, Jaclyn Rosales, and Janlyn Reagan and husband Matt; and twelve great-grandchildren, Joe, Truett, Abby, Kealie, Adeline, Hazel, Matthew, Caddarik, Kai, Cullen, Mercer, and Rylea.

The family suggests memorials to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, Texas 79605.

Remembrances and condolences can be written to the family via the virtual guestbook on Belva’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rutherford family.

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