Mary Elizabeth (Johnson) Rutland, age 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 5, 2026, at her Dayton home.

Mary was born at home to Mary Fannie Ricks and Oscar Johnson in Sheffield, Alabama in Colbert County on April 18, 1935. At an early age she obeyed the Gospel and was baptized at the Nineteenth Street Church of Christ in Sheffield. Mary attended grade school at Sheffield Colored School and graduated from Sterling High School in June of 1953. She lettered in Basketball,  an achievement for which she was very proud. Mary married Kerney Eugene Rutland Jr., and together with their son Howard Eugene Rutland, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where the  Rutland family adventures really began. Together Mary and Kerney built a homemade, two-seater, Stits Playboy aircraft. It started on the living room coffee table, moved to the garage, and when  it got too big for the garage it was lovingly placed on top of their VW Bug and carefully driven through the streets of Cincinnati to a hangar at Lunken airport. Once they completed the build, Kerney went on to successfully fly their plane while Mary and Howard cheered him on. Mary & Kerney were members of the Cincinnati Tailspinners Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft    Association, a national organization for builders of do-it-yourself aircraft. Mary and Kerney enjoyed many hours flying their plane to see family and friends all over the United States.

Mary worked for the United States Environmental Protection Agency. She served as a biological technician in the Drinking Water Research Division. She participated in two high priority studies of note: the Newport Water Treatment Plant and Distribution System Study and the Cincinnati Municipal Water System Study. In 1975, Mary received a Certificate of Merit as a result of her  contribution and achievement within the program. One superior of hers said, "Mary's honesty, integrity and loyalty are above reproach. I consider Mrs. Rutland to be an employee of the highest  caliber." Mary loved working with people and later in life she stayed busy by working at the historic Amos Shinkle Bed & Breakfast in Covington, KY with her dear friends Harry Nash, whom she had worked with previously at the USEPA, and his partner Mayor Bernard J. Moorman. She also helped at the Six Acres Bed & Breakfast with owner, Kristin Kitchen, an historic stop on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves to sleep in a third-floor attic room. Mary enjoyed many hobbies including needlepoint, crochet, latch hook rug making, ceramics, and stained glass but  what she loved most was helping people. She would visit shut-ins, take the elderly shopping, as well as volunteer wherever help was needed.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Fannie Ricks, favorite uncle, Fort Ricks, brother, Albert Johnson, sister, Margaret Berry, and son, Howard Eugene Rutland. She is survived by her brother, Leon Berry, nieces and nephews Debra Berry, Kennedy Berry, Darlene (Kelvin) Pugh, Jordan Pugh, Jarrol Pugh, Jamar Pugh, Kevin Berry, Dena (Ronald) Frierson, grandchildren, RJ Frierson, Adam Frierson, Jasmine Frierson, more nieces and nephews Elie Green, Eric Armstrong,Sonia Johnson, Linda Johnson, Wanda Lewis, Brittany Phillips, Jamaya Williams, cousins  Nancy Ricks, Michael (Diane) Ricks, KaSandra (Francis) Feldmann, George Ricks, Daniel Feldmann and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mary absolutely loved serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through the years, she taught children's bible class and served at the food pantries of: the 19th Street Church of Christ in Sheffield, Alabama; the Madisonville Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Main Street Church of Christ in Middletown, Ohio; the Gray Road Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio; and then at the Needmore Road Church of Christ in Dayton, Ohio. She was faithful in her service to God unto her death.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Gray Road Church of Christ, 4826 Gray Road, Cincinnati  (45232). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation,  beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind.

She will be laid to rest at Crown Hill Memorial Park & Mausoleum, 11825 Pippin Road, Colerain Township, Ohio 45231.

The funeral can be watched live online at 11:00am by clicking Gray Road Church In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Vitas Hospice @: https://vitascommunityconnection.org

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Rutland family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory  is caring for the Rutland family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.

Vitas Hospice Care of Cincinnati
Cincinnati OH