Elizabeth A. Rutland

Elizabeth A. Rutland, 93, of Auburn passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Bethany House in Auburn following a brief illness. Born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 13, 1931, to James and Trevah Hutto, Elizabeth was caring, soft-spoken and kind throughout her life. She was also fiercely loyal, determined, and knew how to persevere through adversity.

From a very early age, Elizabeth’s sights were set on music—in particular, she loved playing piano. She began taking piano lessons at age 7 and was teaching piano to younger children by age 13. That began a career that saw her teach piano lessons for most of her remaining 80 years. Her final piano lesson occurred on April 1, 2025, just 16 days before her passing.

Elizabeth graduated from Ensley High School in 1950, and then attended Birmingham Southern for one year before marrying her first husband, Rev. Jack Atkinson. In most cities and towns they lived in as part of the United Methodist/Alabama-West Florida Conference, Elizabeth served as pianist and/or organist for the church. After they landed at Wesley Memorial in Opelika in 1977, Elizabeth worked at Auburn University. She served as an administrative assistant for 16 years, starting in the Extension Office, followed by the Continuing Education Office and then in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Her job at Auburn University afforded her the opportunity to pursue the college degree she desired earlier in life. Quarter-by-quarter, she tackled one class after another. Finally, on December 10, 1981, exactly three days before her 50th birthday, Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

Upon retiring from Auburn in 1993, Elizabeth increased the number of students she taught, reaching as many as 35-40 a week during the height of her career. Throughout her years as a piano teacher, Elizabeth was a member of the Alabama Music Teachers Association as well as the Music Teachers National Association. She treasured her friendships with other local piano teachers. In 2017, Elizabeth was named the “Teacher of the Year” by the Alabama Music Teachers Association.

Her piano prowess extended beyond teaching. Elizabeth wrote numerous songs and had no less than three of them published for use by church choirs. The three songs were “Love is…,” “Communion Prayer,” and “Hear Me, Lord.”

At home, Elizabeth raised her four children and then lovingly added two more after she married Gene Rutland in August 1983. All of those children attended Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn at some point in their lives. Elizabeth played the organ and piano at Grace for 34 years (1979 – 2013) and served as a backup for several years thereafter. She also used her musical skills to play for weddings and funerals throughout her career.  

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, James and Trevah Hutto, her husband, Gene Rutland, her daughter, Becky Atkinson, her brother, David Hutto, and her stepson, Steve Rutland.

She is survived by her adopted son, Paul Folsom; her daughter, Teresa (Donna) Dickman; her son, John Atkinson; her granddaughter, Jennie Nichols; her grandsons, Andy (Kaitlyn) Atkinson and Will Atkinson; her stepdaughter-in-law, Rita Rutland; her stepdaughter, Genna (Doug) Mitchell; her step grandsons Antiown (Jessica) Cook, Anthony (Kimberly) Cook, and Justin (Hayden) Mitchell; her step granddaughter, Andrea (Bryan) Parrott; her great grandson, Dalton (Chandler) Cook; her great granddaughters, Ellie Nichols, BriAnna Cook, Makayla (Andrew) Garner, and Ansley Cook; her great grandsons, Kaleb, Kade, and Jaxon; her nieces, Keitha (Rick) Zittle and Kim (Steven) Rhyne; and a host of other extended family members.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandson: Andy Atkinson, Will Atkinson, Antiown Cook, Anthony Cook, Dalton Cook and Justin Mitchell.

Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church, 915 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn, AL 36830. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or the Food Bank of East Alabama.