MOUNT CARMEL - Paul Rutledge, 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle passed away peacefully at his home on December 21, 2020 after a courageous fight with cancer. He was born in Mt. Carmel TN and spent his entire life in the area. He was a member of New Fellowship Baptist Church. He served in the US Army Reserves for a short time. He retired from the Kingsport Press after 43 years of service and has served on the Board of Directors of the Kingsport Press Credit Union for 33 years. He was very active as a master mason with Clay Lodge #386 where he served as Worshipful Master a couple of times once in 1978 and again in 2008. Upon his death he was serving as treasurer of Chapter #238 of Royal Arch Masons in Church Hill. He served as a Grand Officer in both the Grand Lodge of Tennessee and in the Royal Arch Masons. Mr. Rutledge was a 32-degree mason of the Scottish Rite of Knoxville and a member of the Jericho Shrine, Kingsport Council #117, and Kingsport Commandery #33. He belonged to Fairview Chapter #80 Order of the Eastern Star where he served the first time as Worthy Patron in 1980 alongside his wife Mary Emma and several other times from 2008-2013. His love of family and faithful support to the Masonic organizations provided him with great direction, and purpose for many, many years. Mr. Rutledge loved his family, Masonic brothers, and friends and never met a stranger. He always had a saying for any occasion and was always willing to share them with anyone, whether they wanted to hear them or not.