Virginia T. Rushton

Greenville

Virginia Taylor Rushton, 103, died Friday, July 20, 2012 at her home in Greenville, SC. She was born April 18, 1909 in Greenwood, SC.

She was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Louise Pratt Taylor of Greenwood, SC. She was predeceased by her husband, Ret. Col. Pierce Albert Rushton, Sr.; a son, Captain Brian Wayne Rushton; a daughter-in-law, Priscilla S. Rushton; her brother, R. Earl Taylor, sisters Anne Wright and Margaret Nelson.

She is survived by a son, Ret. Col. P.A. Rushton, Jr. (Charlene) of Shawnee, KS; a daughter, Lynne R. Ouzts (Ernest Ray) of Greenville, SC; seven grandchildren, Lisa O. McKean (Ret. Lt. Col. William J.), Chesapeake, VA; Tina O. Gunter, Greenville, SC; Stephanie R. Patelli (Ret. Lt. Col. Ralph), Basehor, KS; Cheryl R. Neuburger (David), Katonah, NY; Virginia Nell O. Becknell (Brian), Easley, SC; B.W. Rushton, Memphis, TN; Ernest Ray Ouzts, Jr. (Lori), Charleston, SC; and 16 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Rushton was a Lander University graduate class of 1930. After college, she taught in Johnston and Edgefield, SC, where she met her husband. They married in 1932 and moved to Greenville, SC. After four years, they moved several times until they settled in 1947 in Memphis, TN. She taught sixth grade at Grahamwood Elementary School for over 20 years. She was a member of Highland Heights UMC. She was active in Storytelling League, Garden Club, Bridge Club, Teacher Sorority and Methodist Women's Guild while finding time for a love of art through pastels and ceramics. She was a talented, loving and special lady who always smiled and thought of others. Even in her declining health, she never complained, was always kind and appreciative of everyone.

Memorial service will be Monday, July 23, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at 2nd Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN with funeral following at 2:30 p.m. officiated by Rev. Fred Morton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Lutheran Hospice, 429 North Main Street, Suite 3, Greenville, SC 29601; Highland Heights United Methodist Church, 3476 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122; Lander University 320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649 (attn: Myra Greene); 2nd Presbyterian Church, 105 River St., Greenville, SC 29601; or Caris Hospice, 111 Smith Hines Rd., Suite D, Greenville, SC 29607. Mackey Mortuary is handling local arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Greenville News on Jul. 22, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Virginia Rushton

11 Entries

Becky Davis Brown

August 17, 2012

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Lynn, Just now see where your Mom died. I have many sweet memories of your Mom. I remember the time you broke your leg and your mother let me visit with you. Your family were wonderful neighbors to have. I remember your mother taking us to Overton Park for a beauty contest. I still have a picture of us all in our costumes. May the Lord comfort you during this time. God Bless, Becky Davis Brown (we lived next door to you on Highland)

Charles Horton

August 5, 2012

My sympsthy to the Rushton family. I have memories of Mrs. Rushton and her family through Highland Heights UMC where my dad was her minister for several years and through Treadwell High School where they lived across the street from the school. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Nancy Rice

July 26, 2012

To Mrs. Rushton's Family - I have wonderful memories of having Mrs. Rushton as a 6th grade teacher at Grahamwood in 1965. She was by far my favorite teacher of my school career and I remember her fondly. How blessed you were to have her with you for so many years. I hope she will live on in your fond memories and help you find peace in your hearts.

Marilyn Fitch Taylor

July 25, 2012

My deepest sympathy in your loss. No matter what the age we are never ready to lose our Mothers. My Mother passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 92.

Neil and Marca Lee Simpson

July 25, 2012

To all of the family: Marca Lee and I want to extend our sincere sympathy to all of you. It was such a pleasure to know and to spend time with Mrs. Rushton. What a great woman. It was our pleasure to be there when she celebrated her 100th birthday and to see how much fun she had with her family and her many friends. We hope it will give you comfort in knowing that others care and love you and to be able express our condolences in this way at this time of loss.

Sincerely,

Neil and Marca Lee Simpson

Bill Derryberry

July 23, 2012

Mrs Rushton was a wonderful and amazing person. She is part of wonderful memories of childhood and teenage years. All of us (Albert's friends) always felt at home at the Rushton's home. Mrs Rushton was always understanding and had a solution to any problem one presented to her. She had a wonderful life and a loving and caring family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

suzanne owens

July 23, 2012

I remember Mrs Rushton as a little girl at Highland Heights Methodist and at Grahamwood. My aunt, Mrs Snooks Dawkins was a good friend and sends her condolences as well.

Holly Traywick

July 23, 2012

What a wonderful picture! She was an absolute joy to be around! I know she will be missed by all of you! Love to you all!
Holly

Jim & Ruth (And Andy) King

July 22, 2012

Albert, Lynne and all the extended Rushton family,

The house on the NW corner of Guernsey Avenue and North Highland Street across from Treadwell High School will always be "The Rushton House" to me. I was a classmate and close friend of Wayne's (Treadwell Class of 1959) and frequently visited the Rushton home. Mrs. Rushton was like a surrogate mother to me, and indeed, to all of Wayne's other bone-headed classmates. She always offered us a warm welcome to her home, positive encouragement (after losing football games), and loving tolerance, understanding and guidance for all the young people who frequented her home (as well as the innumberable students she taught). I first met Mrs. Rushton in 1952 while in the sixth grade at Treadwell when Wayne and I first became friends. The next year I attended Grahamwood for one year, and would see Mrs. Rushton almost daily. She always remembered me. Years later, in 1969, she befriended my oldest son, who attended Grahamwood in the first grade, and even though she taught sixth grade, she saw potential in him that we as parents failed to notice. She took extra time to work with him toward his development and growth and to this day, he speaks of her positive influence on him during those formative years. Out of profound respect, I could never call her by her first name, even though she encouraged me to do so. To me she was "THE MRS. RUSHTON", and always will be, a refined Christian Southern lady, whose friendship I will always cherish.

We are deeply saddened by Mrs. Rushton's passing, yet celebrate her life as an exemplary journey that affected all those many, many people she touched along the way. Our prayers and love are with you and your families at this trying time. She was one GREAT LADY!

Carolyn

July 22, 2012

I was so sad to hear of Mrs. Rushton's death. She was such a joyful person and I remember her well from my days at Northside United Methodist. I always admired her spunk. You all loved and took care of her so well that you made all the days of her life an absolute pleasure to live. She sure did love her family. God bless you all.
Carolyn Hollowell Dombrosky

Staff of Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery

July 22, 2012

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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