Lavona Price Rushton

Peace be with Mr. Rushton, Rusty, Deak & Tunstall ,all the family & caring friends . I recall many mornings & afternoons when Claire M , Mike A, Richard D, Susan P, assorted ISS students & I would pull down the long driveway on Cherokee Road to be kindly greeted by an already busy Ms. Rushton. Her grace & kindness was always evidenced by her individual inquiries of how each of us had prepared for our exams or assignments for the day. Somehow with all she had going on, she remembered each of our individual needs when any of us were facing exams from Mr.Fleming, Mr, Stegner, Dr. Lacass or other formidable teachers at ISS. Her encouragement was sincere and would be that extra push that would see us through.

As a teenager, self confidence can be a challenge. I was the only 16 yo in our group. My car was a Cutless Supreme 442, my young & fragile ego always felt a little embarrassment as the smooth pea gravel in the turnaround at the Rushton home popped and crackled under the tires signifying our arrival to p/u Tunstall.

One morning, Ms.Rushton saw my tear stained teenage face and ask if I was ok. I told her I was sorry about my old car & hoped she would let Tunstall ride w/ me. She ever so kindly & w/o laughing out loud, said Lisa, you are all friends and lucky to have a riding group to ISS. I was engulfed w/ melancholy & not feeling worthy, she gave me a cool dampened hand towel & said at least you will all get to school safely & together. Sensing I was not yet comforted, she leaned in and said I have a secret, I looked up as she whispered in my ear, we have a little joke about the FIATs around here. I timidly said you do ? , she smiled & placed her hand gently on my TShirt clad back & said. FIAT stands for Fix It All the Time
I laughed & she laughed with me, saying you all have a great day at school
That few minutes of her valuable time was immensely appreciated & gave me courage & confidence to be the driver of my Cutlass Supreme 442 w/ my riding group.
No one in the group knew she had given me insight into a lifelong perspective. A lesson learned about friendship, education & self worth, all this in the frantic few minutes it took Tunstall to find his Soccer Uniform for a game that afternoon. I'm certain Ms. Rushton had no knowledge what the 442 stood for.
It is w/ great honor that I offer this example of how one person can influence (even a teenager) others w/ observation, kindness & class.
As I grew & learned I had great insight about how much my parents were forgoing to provide Larry, Roger & me w/ the greatest gift of all, an
Education from Indian Springs School.
My husband, Michael Sheehan, ISS Art Teacher and I live in the Mike Lantrip house on campus. I try to honor Ms. Rushton's lesson & gift to me by emulating her kindness with the students I have the honor & privilege to encounter daily. I think of how profound a smile, kind word or supportive pat on the back can change a moment.
As we support each other through the loss of those we love, cherish & learned from, always remember how 4-5 mins of interaction can change a life.
Ms. Rushton , thank you.

I only saw Mrs. Rushton a few times over the years. But each time I did, I remember her being gracious and always had a smile on her face.
My prayers are with you, Mr. Rushton, and with all your family.

While working at Protective Life, I met LaVona and found that she was such a wonderful person. She was blessed with so many talents. She will surely be missed. May God give your family strength at this time of great loss.

In my capacity as one of LaVona's fellow members in the UAB School of Nursing Board of Visitors, and as a writer who wrote articles about the Board's activities, I had the honor and joy of interviewing LaVona at length in her home several years ago. She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and she contributed so much to this community. It was obvious to me that she dearly loved her family and loved the Birmingham area community.

While working at Protective I met her many times and will remember her smile, grace and wit. My thoughts and prayers are with Billy and his family.

LaVona was a gentle woman, a lady. She used to come by my shop to visit and chat. She had a fascinating life and, my goodness, I loved hearing her adventures. I always asked about her travels as she would never come in and start talking about herself. She was a generous soul and left this world a better place for her having lived here.
My deepest condolences to the family.

So sorry to hear. I grew up with her children and wish them nothing but my deepest sympathy.