Luther V. 'Junior' Rudder, Jr.

Luther V. ‘Junior’ Rudder, Jr., 80, of Calhoun Falls, husband of the late Rethia Elaine Olgiati Rudder, died Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. He was born in Calhoun Falls to the late L. V. Rudder, Sr. and Frances Cobb Rudder.

Junior, as he was affectionately known, attended school in Calhoun Falls. His career began at West Point Stevens Plant, retiring after 50 years of dedicated service. He was a proud member of the Calhoun Falls Fire Department for 63 years where he currently held the position of Assistant Fire Chief. Junior was honored to be a Mason and Shriner which reflected his values of charity and brotherhood. He was of the Baptist Faith.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Sgt. Terry V. Rudder and three sisters, Lexie Blackman, Alice Mae Boggs and Margaret ‘Peachy’ Johnson.

Junior is survived by his son, Casey Rudder (Sarah) of Calhoun Falls; daughter, Jerri McDonald (Steve) of Antreville; brother, Steve Rudder of Calhoun Falls; two sisters, Mary Staples of Greenwood and Shirley Smith (Smitty) of Elberton, Ga; seven grandchildren, Tierra Rudder, Traci Rudder, Holly Turman, Brandi Alewine (Garren), Caitlyn Fuller (Andy), Tanner Alewine and Ashley Rivas (Brian); eleven great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Priscilla Belton Rudder.

The family will receive friends 1:00PM – 2:00PM, Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Harris Funeral Home, Calhoun Falls Chapel. Funeral services, with Masonic rites, will begin at 2:30 PM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jerry Dalton and Rev. Johnnie Waller officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens with full firemen’s honors.

Memorial contributions, in memory of Junior, may be sent to the Calhoun Falls Fire Department, PO Box 246, Calhoun Falls, SC 29628.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Calhoun Falls Chapel is assisting the Rudder family.