Dr. James P. Rutland

On December 25, 2020 at 6:38 a.m., Dr. James P. Rutland went to be with our Heavenly Father on Christmas Day. Heaven received the best Christmas gift imaginable.

A native of Aiken County, son of the late James Preston Rutland, Sr. and Josephine Scott Martin, he was the current pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Princeton, former pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Mauldin for 19 years and former pastor of Grace Temple Baptist Church in Chesnee for eight years. He was a faithful servant and man of God for over 50 years. Dr. Rutland was a loving husband and father to his wife and two children.

Surviving are his wife, Vonda Oliver Rutland of the home; a son, David Scott Rutland of Greer; a daughter, Rebekah Ann Rutland of Greenville; three sisters, Jo Ann Caldwell of Gilbert, Sylvia Kizer of Charleston and Patsy Coleman (Bill) of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2020 at Southside Baptist Church, 410 S. Main St., Greer, SC 29650, conducted by Rev. Chuck Hyatt and Rev. Jonathan Shook. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memory Gardens with Dr. Robert Smith officiating.

Visitation will be held 9:45-10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.

Honorary escorts will be any pastors, preachers, missionaries and spouses.

The family respectfully request that masks be worn and social distancing guidelines be observed.

The family is at the home of his son, David Rutland.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Harvest Baptist Church in Princeton.

Memorials may be made to Harvest Baptist Church, 14201 Highway 25, Honea Path, SC 29654.

Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.