Mary Ellen

Rushing

HER SUNRISE
Mother Mary E. Rushing was born in Calhoun County on January 29, 1939, to Cornell Sr. and Clydie Mae Westmoreland. After the death of Moma Clyde, Cornell married Ivia Mae Hall who raised her.

HER JOURNEY
Mother Rushing accepted Christ at an early age and received her education at North Calhoun School in Bruce, MS. She later moved to Milwaukee, WI, where she met and married Eugene Rushing. She returned to Bruce in 1978 and held many jobs from cook, seamstress, and home caregiver. Whatever she did, she did with love and joy.

HER WALK WITH GOD
Mother Rushing joined the Lighthouse Church of Christ Jesus under the leadership of Bishop Winfer Turner. She was baptized in the name of Jesus, and this became her life. She has said the order of her life was as following: God, the church, and her family and friends. She served her church faithfully as Sunday School Secretary, Usher, choir member, Sunday School Teacher, kitchen duty, clean team, and her pastor's number one cheerleader. Whenever the church doors were open, Mother was there. Whenever the church would travel, Mother was there. Whenever anyone from her committee needed her, Mrs. Mary was there with words of encouragement, a hug, a helping hand, and always with a prayer. She brought love and a gentle spirit into the homes of those whom she cared for. This sweet spirit grew her family of two children to many who loved and adored her. Yes Mother Rushing's walk with God was full of unwavering faith. When receiving the news that she had cancer, knowing the God she served, she said, "I have cancer—cancer don't have me." God did heal Mother of cancer, and she praised and worshipped God for his healing power.

HER LEGACY
Mother Rushing leaves to cherish and honor her memories: her daughter, Francyne (James) Atkinson of Smithville, MS; son, Ronald (Bernice) Westmoreland of Milwaukee, WI; brother, Lee (Annette) Westmoreland of Buckeye, AZ; sister, Dorothy Westmoreland of Pittsboro, MS; three aunts, Gennie Bobo and Dorothy Copeland of Bruce, MS, and Cona Franks of Como, MS; grandchildren, Stacy (Eric) McSwain of Milwaukee, WI, Tameka (Jason) Oliver of Houston, TX, Kimberly Westmoreland of Milwaukee, WI, DeAundra Westmoreland of Calhoun City, MS, Barronce "BJ" Daniel of Straksville, MS, Terronce Westmoreland of Racine, WI, Anfernee Taylor of Pittsboro, MS, and Monique Taylor of Coffeeville, MS; sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; her beloved lighthouse family, adopted Glass family; special granddaughter, Angel Wiley-Upper of Marlboro, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews by blood and by love, and cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cornell Clye and Ivia Westmoreland; brother, Cornell Westmoreland, Jr.; grandsons, Justin O'Neil Westmoreland and Pastor Bishop Winfer Turner; and a beloved sister in the Lord, Mother Stella Glass.

HER SUNSET
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, God dispatched a host of angels to North Mississippi Medical Center to escort his faithful servant home. Mother will be missed by all who had the privilege to be in her presence.