| Sources |
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 1 May 1984.
Joy Rugh obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 15 May 2016.
Upland Chronicles: Donald Rugh began missionary career at Pittman Center
CARROLL MCMAHAN
On Dec. 3, 1941, Don Rugh and his wife Joy were commissioned as missionaries by the Methodist Board of Missions. They were informed that they would be sailing for India early in the new year. Four days later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
As international tensions escalated, the couple had no choice but to cancel their plans. Rugh had already sold his car. When he tried to purchase the same car, he discovered the price was twice what he had been paid for it. So they were without a car.
Rugh enrolled at Cornell University in the second term of a course designed for assisting overseas agriculture. Sometime during that term they heard a speech delivered by Dr. Robert F. Thomas at a Methodist Church in Ithaca, New York. He told Dr. Thomas they were commissioned missionaries of the board but were on hold until a ship could to take them to India.
Dr. Thomas was delighted that Rugh was an ordained minister, as they needed a pastor at Pittman Center, where he was the superintendent as well as doctor. As soon as Rugh completed his course at Cornell, they were on their way to the mountains of East Tennessee.
In July 1942, Rugh, his wife Joy and their year-old son James arrived at Pittman Center. He was immediately assigned duties as pastor of five churches as well as a teaching a Bible class at the high school. He applied for and was granted a teachers’ certificate which included several subjects.
Fortunately, he had co-worker, Martha McCarter. Born and raised in the mountains and familiar to the local folks, she was a tremendous help in taking charge of Sunday schools, visiting the sick and comforting the bereaved in a way a young man who was considered an outsider could not have done.
Meanwhile, Dr. Thomas established another church, and he fully expected Rugh to take on the responsibility of pastor in addition to the five other churches. Because the new church was not in the same district as the others, Rugh felt he was under the appointment of the district superintendent, and should accept the added responsibility if the superintendent permitted. Dr. Thomas held the position that as he was paying Rugh’s salary, he should follow his orders. Therefore Rugh decided to leave Pittman Center.
Born Jan. 11, 1915 in Centerville, Indiana, Don, with Joy, went on to serve 38 years as a United Methodist missionary in what is now known as the General Board of Global Ministries. He and Joy worked 36 years in India and two years in Botswana.
Don and Joy Pinneo met while they were students at Maryville College. They were married two weeks after graduation on June 16, 1939. Born Dec. 18, 1915 in Newark, New Jersey, Joy worked in the library throughout her four years at Maryville College.
Rugh worked all the way through his educational pursuits. He attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and Dew University in Madison, New Jersey, before enrolling at Cornell to prepare for the mission field. He later earned his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
The call finally came for Rugh to sail to India in 1944. By this time they had two more children, Carol and Judy. Due to the war Joy and the children were not permitted to go with him. When he finally reached India after four months of sailing he received a cable informing him that 10-month-old Judy had died. After the war ended, Joy sailed for India with Jimmy and Carol. In the ensuing years, David and twins Doug and Kim joined the family.
Rugh’s career in India covered various fields of service. Among several other agencies, he served as an educator, director of relief work under the National Christian Council of India and Church World Service. He was also instrumental in the resettlement of Kazak and Tibetan refugees.
He and Joy became involved with the rehabilitation of leprosy patients, who were mostly beggars by the roadside. He was also editor of the Christian Education Magazine for the United Methodist Church in India, and worked with a committee for Christian educators representing six denominations in the “Growing Together Sunday School” curriculum series.
Joy was his committed partner in all that he undertook. She joined him in many ministries as well as other social action causes.
After retirement in 1982 they settled in Sevierville, near where they had begun their missionary journey 40 years earlier. That brought them closer to their alma mater, Maryville College, and to their children, all of whom attended the college. Sadly, Joy died on May 1, 1984, succumbing to cancer at age 68.
On March 31, 1986 Rugh married Doris Franklin of Lucknow, India. He had been acquainted with Doris since they worked together as co-editors of Christian Education Magazine. Doris started working with the Methodist Church in India as a teacher and later served as an evangelist. However, her main contribution to the church was in the field of journalism.
In 1994 Rugh completed an autobiography titled “From Poultry to People: The Story of My Life…Up to Now.” Living in Sevierville, Rugh was involved in numerous volunteer activities. He was a dedicated volunteer at Sevier County Food Ministries, a faithful tenor in the choir at First United Methodist Church, and active in the local chapter of the AARP.
On Nov. 23, 2001, Rugh passed away at age 86.Throughout his life he was constantly involved with church and community.
Carroll McMahan is special projects facilitator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce and serves as Sevier County historian.
The Upland Chronicles series celebrates the heritage and past of Sevier County. If you have suggestions for future topics, would like to submit a column or have comments, contact Carroll McMahan at 453-6411 or cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 23 Nov 2001.
Donald Emanuel Rugh
January 11, 1915 - November 23, 2001
Birthplace: Centerville, Indiana
Resided In: Sevierville Tennessee USA
Visitation: November 25, 2001
Service: November 25, 2001
Cemetery: Middle Creek Cemetery
Donald E. Rugh died on November 23, 2001, at his home in Sevierville,
Tennessee. He was 86.
He was born on January 11, 1915, in Centerville, Indiana, to John Lawrence
and Sadie Wright Rugh. He was the youngest of five children.
Don served as a missionary of the United Methodist Church for 36 years in
India and an additional two years in Botswana, along with his first wife,
Joy Pinneo Rugh.
During his long mission career he served as an educator, organizer and
relief worker.
After he and Joy retired in 1982 they settled in Sevierville. While living
here he has been very involved in many volunteer activities, including the
church choir and Sevier County Food Ministries.
He is survived by his second wife of 15 years, Doris Franklin Rugh;
Three sons and two daughters: Jim and wife Louise of Atlanta, Carol and husband
Jim Green of Maryville, David and wife Ruthe of Seattle, Doug of
Sevierville, and Kim and husband Roman Bergier of Madison Heights, MI; and
by 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, in the Great
Hall of First United Methodist Church, 214 Cedar Street, Sevierville,TN.
Funeral service at 7:00 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, Sevierville.
Interment will be at 10:30 AM Monday morning at
Middle Creek Cemetery. Atchley's Funeral Home, Sevierville, is in charge of funeral
arrangements.
Memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church. Sevier County
Food Ministries or Covenant Hospice would be appreciated.
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