Rufus Canterbury, 64, of Lenore, passed away on, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, surrounded by his loving family at his home on Laurel Creek. Rufus was a graduate of Lenore High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree at Marshall University and an additional Master’s degree at West Virginia University. He was employed as an educator for the Mingo County Board of Education for 33 years and served several schools in the county as a teacher and counselor.

Rufus was the son of the late Rufus and Elizabeth Gilman Canterbury. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lou Marcum.

He is survived by his wife Karen Canterbury, and his daughter, Kaitlyn Elisabeth Canterbury, both of Lenore. He is also survived by three sisters, Mary Mahone, of Lenore, and Joan Spencer and Pauline Metzdorff, both of Huntington. In addition to these, he is survived by nieces and nephews, Stephanie Mahone Damron, Elisabeth Baisden, Candace Fletcher, and John Howard Marcum, all of Lenore; Elice Hinkle of Belo; Mary Alice Porter of Huntington; Katie Endicott of Gilbert; Isaac Dingess of Harts; Wendie Dingess of Logan; and Warren Metzdorff of Chicago. Rufus is also survived by several other nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

Rufus was a devoted husband and loving father. He was committed to this family, friends and church, and strived to bring joy to all of those he knew. He was a member of the Parsley Bottom Freewill Baptist Church. He was an avid sports fan and an asset to the community. He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6 to 9 at the Parsley Bottom Freewill Baptist. A special service is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m., at the church. Pastor Mike Smith will officiate. Burial will follow at the Gilman Family Cemetery on Laurel Creek. Randy Baisden, Dustin Fletcher, Chris Hinkle, John Howard Marcum, Darrel Damron, Larry Dingess, Stephen Barry Dingess, Charles Harrison Dingess and Isaac Dingess will service as pallbearers. Reginald Spencer will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson is serving the Canterbury family.