Mary Edna Bushnell

Mary Edna Harris Bushnell, 96, of Mountain Brook passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Sunday, February 16. She was born on May 25, 1923 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky to Ruth Knight Harris and Lucian Jefferson Harris, III. She is preceded in death by her parents and by her husband Dr. James Joseph Bushnell; as well as a brother Lucian J. Harris, IV and sisters, Elizabeth H. Hoge and Ruth H. Dean.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother who regaled her children and her grandchildren with wonderful stories of her childhood in Hopkinsville and the magical center of the universe, East 16th Street. It was at the University of Alabama that she met Jim Bushnell. They married after he completed medical school at the University of Virginia. She left Kentucky but took it with her throughout her lifelong interest in her pioneer family lines. She became an original researcher into family histories and land grants and published three books during her life: Terry Records of Virginia, Terry Records of North Carolina and the Indexes of Terry Families of Kentucky.

She is survived by her children Grace Bushnell Whatley (Larry), Kathy Bushnell Miller, (Jim), Jim Bushnell, Jr. (Susan), Libba Bushnell Williams (Turner); fourteen grandchildren: Lawrence Whatley (Callie), Jay Whatley (Mallie), Roscoe Whatley (Hoodie), Rusty Whatley (Callen), Kate Miller Short (Roland), JuJu Miller Milam (David), Grace Miller Kenerly (Patrick), Libba Miller Alden (Niel), Jim Bushnell, III, Mary Katherine Bushnell, Turner Williams, Jr. (Mona), Harris Williams (Grace), Elizabeth Ann Williams Sparks (Butler), Ford Williams; and twenty-one great grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, The John Parke Custis Chapter of the DAR, The National Society of the Colonial Dames, The Birmingham Historical Society, Progress Study Club, The Women’s Committee of 100, Gaieties Dance Club, The English Village Garden Club, Redmont Park Garden Club, The Country Club of Birmingham, Mountain Brook Club, The Club and Chi Omega Sorority at The University of Alabama.

The family is most grateful to Dr. Preston Harrison for his excellent care and to Helping Hands caregivers Tameka Jackson, Barbara Snipe, Teveda Netherly and Lisa Jenkins for their devotion and tender comfort.

Following a private family graveside burial service on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, there will be a visitation at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 2:00 pm followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 pm. Memorials may be made to The Saint Luke’s Foundation or to a charity of your choice.