Robert Jateen Rudder, age 77, was born on April 23, 1938 in Knoxville, TN to the late Arnold and Mildred Rudder. Robert died quietly on June 15, 2015 at the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN after a lengthy illness. Robert resided in Knoxville, TN until he was 15 years old when he moved to Maryland seeking employment. At age 18 he relocated to Washington, D.C. and there enlisted in the US Coast Guard. He served in the Coast Guard for 17 years. When Robert was stationed at the Coast Guard Base in Pt. Pleasant, NJ he met and later married Beatrice Jean Pratt (Rudder). From that union were born three sons. Robert also has a daughter from a previous marriage. Robert was introduced to Bible truths through Jean's contact with Jehovah's Witnesses while stationed on Governor's Island, NY. After careful examination he realized the ring of truth and decided to leave the military and dedicate his life to Jehovah. He symbolized that dedication and was baptized in September of 1974. Robert was a faithful servant of Jehovah in many congregations in Knoxville and most recently in the North Murfreesboro Congregation until his death. Mourning his passing are: Beatrice Jean Rudder, his faithful wife of 47 years, of Murfreesboro; daughter, Shirlena Rudder-Gibbs of Atlanta, GA; sons, Robert Jason Rudder, Austin Rudder (Nova), Mitchell Rudder (Janice) all of Murfreesboro; sister, Joyce Rudder of Knoxville; grandchildren, Keziah Hannum-Rudder, Tyson Hannum-Rudder, Mashyia Rudder and Mitchell Rudder Jr. all of Murfreesboro; his beloved sisters-in-law, Mary Pratt of Murfreesboro and Margaret Baker (Oscar) of Houston, TX; brother-in-law, Erving Pratt (Rita) of Neptune, NJ and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Friday June 26, 2015 with a visitation from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, 1720 Northfield Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN 37130. A private family burial will be at Nashville National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, NY 11201 in memory of Robert. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Woodfin Memorial Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.woodfinchapel.com 615-893-5151.