Barbara Champion Bush

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Aug 20th, 2014

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Death Date: Aug 20, 2014

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Biography: Barbara Champion Bush of Little Rock passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. She was born on November 17, 1950 in Cleveland, Mississippi to James Henry Champion and Nell Ruth Champion. She grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi and graduated from Greenwood High School. Barbara attended Millsaps College, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in education and received a master?s degree in reading. Barbara was an elementary school teacher for many years. She taught at schools in Jackson and Clarksdale, Mississippi; and North Little Rock and Little Rock, Arkansas. Later in her life, she received a master?s degree in library science and information technology from the University of Oklahoma. Barbara was a school librarian in the Little Rock School District and at Carlisle Junior/Senior High School before she retired. Barbara?s passion in life was her family, friends, and students. She wanted every student to have the opportunity to fulfill their potential in learning and in life. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Henry Champion, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Thomas James Bush, Jr., and sons, Thomas James Bush III of Mobile, Alabama, and Kyle Russell Bush of Conway, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Jan Champion of Greenwood, Mississippi; niece, Sallie Kate Covington and husband Shannon of Greenwood, Mississippi, and their daughter Sarah Kinley; and nephew, James Christopher Champion and wife Olivia of Jackson, Mississippi, and their daughter Amelia. Barbara was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 21 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205. Services will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205, on Friday, August 22 at 10:00am. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, Mississippi on Friday, August 22 at 4:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church; the Barbara C. Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Debbye Harrison, 9952 Highway 13 North, Carlisle, Arkansas 72024; and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. An online guestbook is available at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Condolences(32)

Gayle and Glenn Galey

#32

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

As Bobo and Jan's friends, we were privileged to share happy times with Barbara and many of you, her family. We share in the sense of loss you are feeling and pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you and give you peace.....until we see her again.

Carryl Blackburn

#31

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry to hear about Barbara's death. I didn't know her personally but I heard many stories about her when I had appointments with her husband. Dr. Bush, please accept my sincere sympathy. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandy Bynum

#30

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush and sons,

I am so sorry for your loss of a very special LADY. She loved her family and showed it in her words of you all. May you know that she will always be with you in spirit. No one can take the beautiful memories from you. May God wrap his loving arms around y'all and give you comfort at this very sad time, as you move forward.

Arlene and Jim Hardwick and Family

#29

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear Dr. Bush and Family,

We are still on our big Alaskan vacation and until today it has been so wonderful. However, today we heard about Barbara and the mood here is somber suddenly. You and Family are in our prayers!

Barbara's gain is your loss and living without her is not going to be easy. We are confident however that our LORD is comforting you and will see you through the tough times ahead. We don't know what the future holds for you but look forward to seeing you prosper again as you continue to do for others in the future.

We pray God's comfort and blessings for you.

Arlene, Jim, Carl, Penny, and Geraldine

Michael and Carey McCann

#28

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush, We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will honor her name with contributions to the Barbara C. Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund and W. P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

Robert, Pam and Natalie Hodges

#27

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My the peace of the Holy Spirit comfort you during this difficult time

Arlene and Wayne Kirk

#26

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush and family,
With sadness we learned of the passing of Mrs. Bush. She was a valuable part of your family as she meant so much to you. You are in our prayers.

Charlotte Cook

#25

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I taught third grade with Barbara at Miss Selma's. She was so kind and helpful. She truly cared for me and my sons. I feel so blessed to have known such a remarkable person.

Anne Murphy Williams

#24

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so saddened to learn of Barbara's passing. She was my college roommate at Ole Miss, and I don't know how I would have handled our move from Millsaps to Ole Miss without her. Barbara was a lovely person and a good friend during our college years. Her family will certainly be in my prayers. God Bless you.

Ed and Jeanne Anson

#23

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush, Jim and Russ,
We are so sorry to hear of Barbara's death. She was generous, kind and very caring person. Her joy and love of life continue in you. Please try to internalize the loving happy memories and know that she is always with each of you in your heart. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
with deepest sympathy
Ed and Jeannie

Carolyn / Marion Meins & Betty Clevidence

#22

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Bush family,
Dr. Bush (Jimmy) you and your family and ours go way back. From childhood memories, our parents friendships to your wedding forward what a wonderful story. We are so glad we were a part of this story and so happy your adult life was indeed one the rest of us could use as a "guide". Barbara was your perfect mate, two sons - family complete. Beautiful memories and your faith will be your strength in the days ahead. We have all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

Jennifer Mort

#21

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush and boys,
Sorry to hear about Barbara. You're in my thoughts and
Prayers.

David Clement

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush and Russell:

I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Bush's passing. I know that she meant a lot to all of you and they she will be deeply missed. You are in my prayers.

Jennie Mcgill & Jeff Mcgill

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush we are very sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers. I had no idea she was sick but it is very sad. You are very special to us. We know that GOD will give you comfort through this time. She is in a better place and one day you will be together again. Again we are sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you.

Jeff and Jennie McGill

Pam Jones

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I worked with Barbara at Stephens Elementary. My thoughts and prayers are with the family who she adored and was so proud of. I consider her a friend and she will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to have worked with her.

Alicia Wilson

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sadden to hear the passing of Mrs. Bush. She was an amazing librarian. My students at Stephens Elementary just loved her. My students loved listening to her read with that southern drawl. My favorite book that she would read to them was "Fine Fine School". I saw her about a year ago and told her that I think of her every time I read that book to my students. In memory of her I am going to read it to my class tomorrow. May the Lord comfort you and your family during these days ahead.

Jane Mitchell Leech

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I have such fond memories of Barbara from our Chi Omega pledge class days at Millsaps. She was such a sweet "real" person. My prayers are with her "boys" and extended family. May God wrap his arms around all of you and bring you wonderful memories and peace.

erin schoen

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Jim, Scott and I were so sorry to hear about Barbara. She was such a wonderful, kind lady and one of Katie's favorite teachers at PA. Please know we are thinking of you and keeping you and the boys in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss,
Erin and Scott Schoen

Shirley Nichols

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sad and sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. She was such a true Southern lady, and a joy to know. I enjoyed being her colleague at Pulaski Academy for several years, and taught both of her precious children. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Doyle & Susan Conley

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush, we are so sorry to hear about Barbara. You & your family will be in our prayers.

Shirley Fetherolf

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I'm so sad to hear of Barbara's passing. We both worked for Little Rock School District and kept in touch by email the last few years. She was a good friend and will missed.

Diane and Betty Mayfield

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Please accept our condolences for the loss of Barbara. May you find peace in the days ahead.
Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Diane Mayfield
Betty Mayfield

Virginia Davis

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. I got to know her as a fellow student in grad classes at OU. She was such fun to be around. I know she will be missed.

Tracy Mcallister

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so saddened to hear of Barbara's passing. We knew each other as librarians and visited at school librarian conferences. She always greeted you with a smile and a kind word.
With prayer,
Tracy McAllister

Judy Camp

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I know that Barbara was most proud of her family, especially her two boys, and I always enjoyed talking to her when they were in school with my children. I'm so glad you had her for so many years; I'm glad she had YOU. I wish you all happy reflections and feelings and pray that you continue to heal from the loss of her presence.
Warmest regards,
Judy Camp

Theresa and Dan Surber

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We were so surprised and sadden to hear of Barbara's passing we served on the Millsaps Parents Council together. She was such a fun loving person and I enjoyed every visit I was blessed to have with her. May the God of all comfort be your particular portion in this time.

Margaret ELLEN Bready Gray

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. I am so glad I was able to visit with her a few years ago and hear about her wonderful family.
Ellen from Greenwood

Lynnette Ward

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Barbara was one of the sweetest people I knew. She was always caring and loving to the students, especially my daughter, Jessica. Jessica helped out in the library her junior and senior year at Carlisle. She absolutely LOVED Mrs. Barbara. I know they e-mailed and talked a lot after graduation too. She will be terribly missed and fondly remembered in our family. My God Bless your family during this difficult time.

Carla and Carter Coleman

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our heartfelt sympathy to Jimmy, Jim and Russell . We loved Barbara and we will never forget her - the beautiful southern charm, the manners and politeness she and Jimmy passed along to their boys; the many things she taught me about etiquette and the advice she gave me! We are so very saddened. Our prayers are with you in the days ahead. Love to all of you. Carla and Carter

Gerry and Linda Mathis

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Bush and family,
We are sadden to hear about Mrs. Barbara. Our prayers and thought are with you and your family today. May God bless you and give you peace

Lisa Douglass

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I'm so sorry to learn of Barbara's passing. I enjoyed teaching with Barbara at The Anthony School in Little Rock. She was a sweet and fun lady. My sympathy to the Bush family.
Lisa Douglass

Douglas L. Smith

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I remember Barbara well from high school, though I never talked to her. I have prayed for Barbara and the family since receiving notice. My deepest condolences to the family and I ask God for infinite grace during this time of loss.

Barbara Champion Bush

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