Rufus Scott Steelman, age 88, passed away January 9, 2011 in Fayetteville, TN at Donalson Care Center.
Mr. Steelman was born February 23, 1922 in Patton Hollow, Howell, TN. He was the son of Ollie Boone Steelman and Deneva Scott Steelman. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 22 years, Flora Elaine Eshman Steelman, with whom he lived in the Howell area, and by his second wife of 43 years, Geneva Fanning Bates Steelman, with whom he lived in the Vanntown, TN area. He is survived by his son James Taylor (Jim) Steelman and wife Shirley of Fayetteville, TN, daughter Jo Lee Armstrong and husband Jimmy of Huntland, TN, son Lloyd Wayne Steelman and wife Shirley of Hazel Green, AL, and son Lowell Bates and wife Elaine of Kelso, TN. 11 grandchildren Justin and Josh Steelman, Carol Rutledge, and Melanie Henley, Angela Zieke, Stephen Bates, Stephanie Lane, and Karen, Paul, Keith, and Kathy Armstrong, and by eight-great-grandchildren Ethan and Caleb Bates, Shelby Zieke, Madelyn Lane, and Rachel, Patrick, Cierra, and Jessica Armstrong.
Mr. Steelman was a member of the Church of Christ, worshiping in the early years with the Howell congregation and later with the Antioch congregation Madison County, AL. He was a farmer for many years, drove school buses and milk trucks, and was a retired employee of Amana/Goodman Manufacturing. He was an avid fan of Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee.
Visitation with the family will be from 9-11 AM Saturday, January 15, 2011, followed immediately by service at Higgins Funeral Home, Fayetteville, TN, with Bro. Steve Hale and Bro. Joe Brown officiating. He will be buried at Old Orchard Cemetery, Petersburg, TN. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howell Church of Christ, 329 South Fishing Ford Road, Petersburg, TN 37144 or the charity of one’s choice.