Please join us in honoring the life of Bonnie Rutherford. You are welcome to attend her funeral service in person, or you can watch the LIVE Broadcast at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Simply click the link below to view the service.

Bonnie Rutherford Funeral Service LIVE Broadcast

Bonnie Eloise Hamilton Rutherford, 79, passed to her eternal home on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Born in Shelbyville, Kentucky, on August 30, 1946, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Joseph Lewis Hamilton and Fannie Belle Craigmyle Hamilton.

Along with her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Dauser J. Rutherford, and her brother, Steve Hamilton.

Bonnie's relationship with Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. An ordained minister through the Seven Stars Ministries, INC dba The Abundant Life Christian Center, she was a faithful member of Hope Community Church in Franklin County.

A 1964 graduate of Henry County High School, Bonnie earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) in 2009, where she was recognized as the program's Graduate of the Year. She also obtained her real estate license through Central Kentucky Technical College.

Bonnie devoted her career to early childhood education. She was the CEO and Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Academy in Anderson County from 1993 to 2018. She also served as an adjunct professor and tutor in Early Childhood Education at BCTC. Bonnie was an active CASA volunteer and was a member of the Southern Early Childhood Association, where she was recognized as a "Fossil," and also served on the board of the Kentucky Association. In addition, she enjoyed many years as a Mary Kay consultant and was deeply patriotic.

Bonnie is survived by her children, Dr. Maria Christina Rutherford and Jerry Scott Rutherford (Connie), both of Lawrenceburg; her grandchildren, Kimberly Jewell Bostic (Braxton) and Jacob Ryan Rutherford (Mona); her great-grandchildren, Kaden Moore, Esiason Moore, Everhett Moore, and Eilah Bostic, with one additional great-grandchild on the way; her siblings, Vernon Hamilton and Glenda Lucas, both of Eminence, and Chester Hamilton of Smithfield; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Jeff Eaton officiating.  Burial will follow in the Lawrenceburg Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Braxton Bostic, Robert Cable, Vernon Hamilton, Anthony Lucas, Jacob Rutherford and Jerry Rutherford.  Honorary bearers will be Esiason Moore, Everhett Moore, and Kaden Moore.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bonnie Rutherford are suggested to Avenues for Women, 73 C. Michael Davenport Blvd., Suite 5, Frankfort, KY 40601, or may be made online through Avenues for Women .

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home, Lawrenceburg, KY.  Condolences to the family may also be expressed at www.ritchieandpeach.com