Obituary of Barbara Rutherford Keedy

Barbara Rutherford Keedy, 82, passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021 at her farm in Ocala, Florida surrounded by family. She was attended closely by friends and family during her brief battle with cancer. Barbara was born on November 7, 1938 in Batesville, Arkansas to George R. and Opal Rutherford, younger sister to Jean Rutherford Crouch and George E. Rutherford, all of whom predeceased her. She graduated from Batesville High School in 1956 and Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) in 1960.

She was a resident of Marion County for almost 50 years, arriving in 1972 to the Horse Capital of the World, Ocala, to work with Thoroughbred horses. In 1977 she established Patch O’ Blue Farm to board select broodmares, managing their breeding and foaling. She received several Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Awards and raced her own horses successfully. Concurrently, she taught in public schools, retiring from Ocala’s Vanguard High School in 2003.

An avid horsewoman, Barbara loved competing in barrel racing, reining and polo, and trail-riding in her later years, astride her favorite American Quarter Horses. Her riding trips in Africa and Spain were amongst her most memorable vacations. She was a mentor to many new horse-owners, generously giving of her time and expertise to promote equine activities. She loved all animals, developing a passion for animal rights and rescue, and an interest in sustainable living. She was a life-time learner and natural educator who understood the power of a well-written paragraph.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Celeste Clements (Michael Fox) and grandchild Carolina “Max” Fox of Arnold, Maryland, her sister-in-law Peggy Rutherford, six nieces and nephews, and nine great-nieces and nephews and their children.

A memorial gathering in her honor will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 3-5pm, with a brief ceremony commencing at 4pm, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 East Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL, 34470, (352) 629-7171. Barbara will be buried in the Rutherford Family Cemetery in Batesville, Arkansas later this summer. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Humane Society of Marion County, Florida, 701 NW 14th Rd, Ocala, Florida 34475. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hiers-baxley.com.