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Dot Rustin remembered as ‘advocate’

Sep 3, 2009

By David Owens, newseditor@laurelleadercall.com
 

August 18, 2009 11:00 am

— Funeral services will be held this morning for a Jones County woman who died as a result of injuries from a vehicle accident last Tuesday on Highway 84 East.
Dorothy “Dot” Rustin, 78, of Laurel, was a passenger in a car driven by Gladys Breland, 43, when the accident occurred. A teenager in another car was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected when the vehicles collided. All victims were transported with injuries to South Central Regional Medical Center. Those injuries ultimately proved fatal for Rustin.
Those who knew Rustin recalled her compassion for others. She was a member of the Sandersville Eastern Star, Kiwanis Club, American Red Cross, Good Samaritan, Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army. She was also an advocate for the State Hospital, and was a former governor’s aide under Ray Mabus.
Peggy Owens-Mansfield of the American Red Cross said Rustin was “one of the most remarkable women, and one of the most unselfish people that I’ve ever known.”
“She would just do remarkable things for people just because they needed it,” Owens-Mansfield said. “Once Dot realized that she had the ability to, she felt like it was her responsibility to take that knowledge and help people. She did such a wonderful job, and I know in the early days, there was absolutely nothing monetarily in it for Dot.”
Owens-Mansfield said she first began dealing with Rustin professionally in the late ‘80s. However, she recalled as a young child visiting the Rustin family business, Rustin Grocery, where western wear was sold and musical shows were often hosted.
“Rustin Grocery was the center of the community out there,” she said.
Owens-Mansfield said Rustin was a great advocate for those having problems with their Social Security or disability benefits.
“She had a really uncanny ability of getting to the bottom of a problem,” she said. “So many people need advocates right now. There are millions of programs and it’s so hard to just get past their phone machines. What she was so good at was taking all of that stuff that was scary for the common man or woman and making it workable. If this world needs anything right now, it’s advocates like Dot Rustin.”
Jan Rustin, Rustin’s niece who lives in Houston, Texas, said her aunt meant the world to her.
“She was such a wonderful woman, daughter, mother, aunt, great aunt, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend,” Jan Rustin said. “She never met a stranger. With her faith in Jesus Christ, I know she is resting and in a better place as she took care of so many. She was very well known in the Rustin Community. She helped so many in need, and she will be truly missed.”
Funeral services for Rustin will be held at 11 a.m. today at Oakland Grove Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Revs. Mike Powell and Dennis Middleton will officiate. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of arrangements. To view or sign the family guestbook, visit www.leadercall.com.

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