JOHNNIE LEE RUSH

Johnnie Lee "Bubba" Rush, 59, died on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter County, he was a son of Ruth Rush Nathaniel. He attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a graduate of Lincoln High School Class of 1968. He was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, where early in his life he was active in the Boy Scout Troop. He served his country in the U.S. Army and earned a National Defense Medal. He was employed as a security guard in the military.

Mr. Rush was preceded in death by a brother, George Rush, and stepfather, Ezekiel Nathaniel.

Surviving are his mother, Ruth R. Nathaniel; his wife, Naomi Washington Rush; two daughters, Pamela (Junius) Jenkins III and Robertha "Bootsie" Rush; two sons, Johnnie (Latoya) Rush Jr. and Marland Rush; a stepson, William Washington, all of Sumter; a stepdaughter, Teresa Washington of Charlotte, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; a great-grandchild, Joshua Smith; a sister, Blanche R. Mack of Sumter; two brothers, Thomas (Shirley) Rush of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kenneth (Jessica) Rush of Pensacola, Fla.; and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church with the pastor, the Rev. Joyce Chiles, officiating, assisted by Pastor Ricky Simmons.

Mr. Rush will be placed in the church for viewing from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

Interment will follow in Florence National Cemetery.

The public may view Mr. Rush from noon until 8 p.m. today.

Those wishing to join the funeral procession should meet by 10 a.m. Thursday at the residence of his daughter, Pamela (Junius) Jenkins III, 30 Weatherly Road, Sumter.

In addition to 30 Weatherly Road, the family will receive friends at the home of his sister, Blanche R. Mack, 12 Third Ave., Sumter.

Online memorials may be made to palmermemorialchapel@sc.rr.com.

Palmer Memorial Chapel of Sumter is in charge of funeral arrangements.