JoAnn E. Rushing

JoAnn Elaine Rushing (Robson) of Livonia, Michigan went home to be with Jesus, January 31st 2020 at the age of 84. Born October 19th, 1935, JoAnn is the daughter of Arthur and Muriel (Williams) and sister of Jack Robson. She was the loving wife of Charles N. Rushing and mother of Charles (Diana), Jason (Kathy) and Arick (Carolyn). The proud grandmother of Jeremy, Jennifer, Joseph, Jessica, Timothy, Adam, Christopher, and adoring great-grandmother of Jayden and Kaleigh.

JoAnn was born in Bad Axe Michigan, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, to farmers who eventually lost their farm and were forced to move to Detroit to find work. Her father worked for the Packard Motor Car Company until an accident forced him to stop. Her mother worked for the Douglas and Lomason Company (an auto-parts supplier), while renting out all the available rooms in their house on Brooklyn street, Detroit Michigan. JoAnn spent her summers at her aunt and uncle’s farm back in Bad Axe, fostering a life-long love for all things that flower, fly and are free.

She met her husband of 66 years in Detroit at age 16, who had also come from his home in Tennessee to find work. They were married June 20th, 1953 at the Trumbull Avenue United Presbyterian Church.

With the Korean War still ongoing, her husband was called to serve. JoAnn decided to join him in Europe, where they lived for three years. They had a unique opportunity to travel in Europe (on a shoestring, of course) when time permitted.

Their first son Chuck was born in 1955, on the Châteauroux-Déols airbase USFAE. They returned home from Europe in 1957 and bought their first home in Dearborn in 1960.

A dedicated and loving homemaker, JoAnn stayed busy with her son Charles. Commitments such as church, cub scouts, booster club, vacations with her mother and school activities, such as band, filled her days. JoAnn was incredibly supportive of her son’s talent on the trombone, which he played all through school.

Apparently, one son was not enough. In 1967 and 1968 Jason and Arick came along. This brought more of the same, as well as different activities, which were loved and enjoyed by the entire family (church, school, scouts and more). At church, JoAnn volunteered for fish fries, Sunday School, choir, accolading and much more, with family in tow. JoAnn was heavily involved in school activities, such as being a home room mom, chaperone, cookie baker, school float maker and so much more. When time allowed, her vacation of choice was trailer camping with other families. But out of all their activities…scouting was the most significant. She helped as a Cub Scout Mom and stayed involved all throughout her sons’ years in Boy Scouts. She, along with her husband, made sure the boys attained Eagle Scout.

In 1992, JoAnn and Charlie “retired” to a lake house in Jackson, Michigan, where they hosted years of fun for family and friends. Everyone had “boatloads” of fun fishing, boating, water skiing, tubing, and eating an abundance of desserts. The lake house had a giant garden, abundant flowers, and tons of grass for her grand kids to play outside. She LOVED it. JoAnn and Charlie joined travel clubs, making new friends travelling internationally and throughout the states. China was her favorite. They went on several cruises with friends and took various trips with the family and grand kids. Imagine three generations in ONE motor home, driving across Alaska for 9 days (yes, all survived it)! She absolutely loved the outdoors and travelling. JoAnn’s last trip was in September 2019 with her husband and kids to Yellowstone National Park- a bucket list trip.

JoAnn was a selfless matriarch, dedicating her life to supporting her mother, her husband, and her family. She was a living example of the Scout Oath and Law, helping all people at all times. She embodied the teachings of Jesus through her unconditional love. Her smiles, hugs, and infectiously positive spirit reflected this love, and are already greatly missed.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating her life on February 13th at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home at 37000 West Six Mile Road in Livonia Michigan from 4 to 8pm. On February 14th we will gather at 10am with a memorial service at 11am. For any questions regarding time or directions, please call Harry J. Will Funeral Home at (734) 591-3700.