UNION:

Margaret Ann Sharp Rush entered our world on August 27, 1943, and she very peacefully left our world on April 28, 2024.  She lived every day of her eighty years of life with a beautiful smile and a heart that genuinely looked for ways to serve others.

After graduation from Sebastopol High School in 1961, Margaret attended East Central Junior College before marrying Jerome Rush in June of 1962. The couple built a life and marriage together that would last over sixty years, only separated by death when Jerome passed away in October of 2022.  Together, Margaret and Jerome made Union, Mississippi, their home where they raised two children: Marlo and Hugh. Jerome and Margaret were faithful members of First Baptist Church of Union where Margaret lived out her love for Christ throughout the years as a Sunday School teacher, WMU member, Bible Drill teacher, and associate secretary.

Margaret enjoyed hosting dinners for her family and friends, cooking for others in need, and working in her beautiful flower beds. Yet, her most beloved activity was without a doubt being in the presence of her six grandchildren.  Being "Gran" to Chandler, Marlayna, Bankston, Isabella, Luke, and Rush brought genuine joy to her life, and she embraced this role so well that she soon became widely known as "Gran" to many other children and even adults in the community.  Gran had a beautiful gift for making others feel loved and cared for in a very special way. Her whole-hearted, unconditional love will be missed by all who knew her.

Margaret is survived by one daughter, Marlo Cooksey and her husband Jerry of Atlanta, Georgia; one son, Hugh Rush and his wife Deanna of Union; six grandchildren:  Chandler, Bankston, and Luke Rush; and Marlayna, Isabella, and Rush Cooksey; a brother, Julian Sharp and his wife Jean; a special aunt, Maxine Patrick; a sister-in-law Suzette Sharp; and many sweet friends and family members. She is preceded in death by her husband Jerome Rush, infant daughter Lori Ann Rush, parents Coba Sharp and Laverne Sharp, and brother Travis Sharp.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Union with visitation from 11:00 A.M. until service time. Burial will be held at Pine Grove Baptist Church. Officiating the service will be Margaret's pastor, Dr. Corey Fontan, and family friend Bro. Rusty Walton.  Delivering a tribute to her life will be her grandson Chandler Rush and providing music will be her grandson Bankston Rush and family friend Amanda Bankston.  Serving as pallbearers will be Joey Patrick, Chris Bankston, Michael Weaver, Bryan Norman, Joey Ezelle, Jordan Robinson, and Matthew Lott.