Nellie Elizabeth Rutherford was born on October 17, 1921 in Bristol Tennessee and went to be with her Lord 96 years later on November 1, 2017 in Kennewick, Washington. Nellie lived a long life full of family and friends, and cultivated generations of love and kindness. Nellie was raised in Bristol Virginia, and met the love of her life, Dutch Rutherford, who shared the same surname and lived across the state line in Bristol Tennessee. Nellie and Dutch enjoyed 73 years of marriage, and passed on the Rutherford legacy to a third generation with the recent arrival of Sufjan Rutherford in 2017. Nellie can be easily described by her southern charm, hospitality, and sweetness; as "sweet as apple pie" as the southern adage goes. Nellie raised two children, her son, Daniel Rutherford, and daughter, Connie Gambetty. Over the decades the Rutherfords lived in Omaha, Nebraska and Vancouver, Washington before settling in the Tri-Cities in 1948. Nellie moved across the country during WWII with her husband's family to work in the Vancouver Shipyards as she waited patiently for Derwood's return from his first deployment so that they could be married. Nellie experienced so much during her lifetime, through a time in American history shaped by world war and uncertainty. Nellie's resolve, patience, gentleness, and fortitude were no doubt shaped by her era, and she is described as being unusually steadfast, reliable, and tender-hearted. After WWII, Dutch and Nellie reunited and married November 4, 1944, then settling in the Tri-Cities. They first lived in Richland and later moved to Kennewick where they spent the remainder of their lives and raised their family. Nellie is survived by her children, daughter Connie Gambetty (Keith) and Dan Rutherford (Cindy) and grandchildren, Jessica Tucker, Joshua Rutherford (Olivia), Megan Borders (Tyler), Jenna Tormanen (Michael) and great grandchildren Eden, Avey, Cora Borders, and Sufjan Rutherford. Nellie will be remembered and missed by all whom her life touched over so many wonderful years. Her family is grateful for her love, care, and for nurturing a family of strength, health and determination.