Mary Joan Cox Rush “Joan” of Bloomington, TX passed away peacefully on September 29, 2024, at the age of 88. Joan was born in New Albany, MS on April 6, 1936, to the late Edna Earle Everette Cox and William David Cox. She graduated from New Albany High School in 1954 and Blue Mountain College in Blue Mountain, MS with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1958.
After college graduation, Joan moved to Texas and was employed by Gulf States Test Kitchen. She soon met the love of her life, Aubrey Vernon Rush, from Bloomington, TX and they were married at the First Baptist Church, New Albany, MS on November 25, 1960. They were married 60 years at the time of his passing on February 10, 2021. They resided in Beaumont TX while Aubrey finished his undergraduate degree at Lamar University. They then moved to Bloomington and Joan was employed as the Cafeteria Manager at the Union Carbide Seadrift plant until her retirement in 1977 where she was then able to be a stay-at-home mom, a homemaker, and become more involved in community, church, and school events.
Joan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bloomington, TX where she enjoyed singing in the choir and working in the kitchen for church dinners and events for many years. After moving to Vitality Court assisted living in 2021, Joan enjoyed weekly Sunday services at Vitality Court hosted by the Fellowship Bible church in Victoria, TX and was most excited and proud when it was her nephew, John Rush’s turn to preach. She was also thankful for weekly visits from Donnie and Sylvia Elkins from Crescent Valley Baptist Church.
Joan was proceeded in death by her parents, infant twin siblings, and her husband.
She is survived by a son, David (Kristine) Rush of Bloomington, TX, and a daughter, Sarah (DeWayne) Holloway of Victoria, TX, 2 Grandchildren, Charlie (Lauren) Holloway, and Lori (Jim) Johnson, and 3 Great-Grandchildren, Kyler Johnson, William Holloway, and Walker Holloway all of Victoria, TX. She is also survived by her 1st cousin aka “little brother” Terry (Susan) Maxey of Olive Branch, MS.
Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2024, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel. Services to follow at 2 p.m. at Rosewood Funeral Chapel with Reverend Chad Kirk, Northgate Church of God, officiating. Internment will follow immediately at Crescent Valley Cemetery.
Pallbearers are DeWayne Holloway, Billy Holloway, Charlie Holloway, Jim Johnson, Matt Rush, and Trey Rush.
Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Koudelka, John Rush, Daryl Whitfield, Donnie Elkins, John Rodriguez, James Hilscher, Evart King, Billy Ray Fagg and a host of Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, and Great Nephews who lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Jo”.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Bloomington, Northgate Church of God in Victoria, Fellowship Bible Church in Victoria, Hospice of South Texas, Nazareth Academy School, or St. Joseph High School.
