Celeste Rutherford

Lebanon, VA- Celeste Abolin Rutherford, age 69, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore William Abolin and Velma Mae Roberts; stepmother, Claire Keebaugh Abolin and sister, Debbie Goff.

Celeste was a graduate of Emory & Henry University. She retired as a special education teacher at Lebanon High School with 35 years of service. She loved all Lebanon High School sports and all animals.

Survivors include her son, William M. Rutherford and wife Ashley; sisters, Nancy Abolin Dunst and Linda Abolin Perez and brother, Craig Roberts Abolin and wife Cynthia; nieces, Christina Vickers, Jennifer L. Yeaw, and Keara Axelrod; nephew, Noah Axelrod; and great-niece, Chelsie Crider.

Funeral service will be conducted at 2 pm on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the Combs-Hess Funeral and Cremation Service chapel with Pastor Randy Cross and Pastor James Rutherford officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 pm until 2 pm at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ted W. Abolin Scholarship Fund at Southwest Virginia Community College.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family on our website at www.chfunerals.com or the funeral home Facebook page. Combs-Hess Funeral and Cremation Service, 291 Highway 71, Lebanon, Virginia 24266, (276)-889-4444.