Donald Rutland

Don Lloyd Rutland, age 75, passed away on May 5, 2021. Born in Morton, Mississippi, he was the son of Annie T. Washington and the late Ansel W. Rutland, and brother to Donna Matthews (Mark) and Lisa Bishop (Harrold). Don is survived by his sons Steven Lloyd Rutland (Jeanie) and Michael David Rutland, daughter Jennifer Turner (Thomas), grandchildren Miranda Martin, Rick Martin, Allie Rutland, and Grace Rutland, great grandson Hunter Martin, and his beloved longtime companion, Belinda Barnes. Don grew up in Jackson, Mississippi where he graduated from Millsaps College and also earned a Masters in Combined Sciences from the University of Mississippi. Following graduation, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he and his family lived for over twenty years. During that time, he represented Olympus, Fuji, ACMI, and Stryker in the sale of medical equipment. A second career as a teacher brought him back to Mississippi. His lifelong loves for science and learning were perfectly suited for his role as a teacher of Organic Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology which he taught at both the high school and college levels much like his father. Don was often found on the golf course and made many new friends along the way as he never met a stranger. After he retired from teaching, Don spent his final years exploring his love of classic sports cars and enjoying summers at his mountain home in North Carolina. Memorial service is May 10, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon with private burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Magnolia Speech School.