Charlene Ruddell

Mrs. Ruby Charlene Moulton Ruddell, age 74, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2024, at her residence.

Charlene was born on Wednesday, March 22, 1950, in Dalton, Georgia, to the late Rev. Charles and Mrs. Beatrice Moulton.

In addition to Dalton, Charlene spent parts of her life in both Trion, Georgia, as well as Plainville, Georgia.  She graduated as a member of the class of 1968 from Valley Point High School, and then went on to obtain college degrees from both Dalton State College and Covenant College.

She made her career working in bookkeeping and clerical positions for various companies in Dalton.  Charlene was also involved with the Dalton Business and Professional Women’s Club, and served as a volunteer at Hamilton Medical Center.

Outside of work, Charlene was an active member of East Side Baptist Church, where she served as a pianist, sang in the choir, played in the handbell choir, served as youth choir director, served as a Sunday school teacher, and served as a Girls in Action leader.

Beyond her working career and her church involvement, Charlene will be remembered by those who loved her for her love of playing the piano, quilting, all manners of handcrafts and crafting, cooking, houseplants, hosting dinner parties, working with young people of all ages, and above all, sharing her love of Jesus.  It was her love of and devoted service to the Lord that gave her the capacity to love and care for others, bringing sunshine into the lives and smiles onto the faces of everyone she ever met.

In addition to her parents, Charlene is preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Steve Cline, and her sister-in-law, Jeanette Ruddell; her father-in-law, C.L. Ruddell, and her mother-in-law, Lina Holcomb Ruddell; and her niece, Angela Cline.

Charlene is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Warren Scott Ruddell, whom she married on Saturday, November 7, 1970.  She is also survived by her daughter, Corrie Ruddell (Johnny) Pyles; her grandson, Brady Pyles; her sisters, Carol Cline and Cheryl Smith; her brothers-in-law, Lane Smith, Phil Ruddell, and Jeff (Linda) Ruddell; her sister-in-law, Nancy Mowers (Verne); fourteen nieces and nephews, as well as a number of great nieces and great nephews.  She is also survived by her two special friends, Jimmie Goswick and Kaye Jennings.

A funeral service to celebrate and honor Mrs. Charlene's life will be held on Thursday, July 25, at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel of Love Funeral Home with Rev. Bret Yaeger and Rev. Roger Suggs officiating.  A private burial will follow the service, where Charlene will be laid to rest in West Hill Cemetery.

Charlene's family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home beginning at 12:00 o'clock noon and throughout the service hour at 2:00 o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly asks that memorial gifts be made to the American Heart Association, the Conasauga Kidney Foundation, and/or to East Side Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia.