Shelly Bush

Shelly Ann Bush

MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Shelly Ann Bush, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, February 14, 2015, with her parents by her side, at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas following a brief battle with cancer.

She was born October 7, 1966, in Sedalia, Missouri, the only child of Woodrow and Shirley Young Bush.

Shelly was baptized October 17, 1975, and confirmed April 12, 1981, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover. The confirmation verse chosen was Romans 1:16, " For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

She was a 1985 graduate of Morgan County R-I High School in Stover, received an Associate Degree in Music from State Fair Community College in Sedalia and a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Anyone who knew Shelly knew her passion was music. At the age of 11, her parents took her to Nashville, where she recorded "Rocky Top" at the Barbara Mandrell Studios; at that moment a country music singer was born. Her parents logged more than 400,000 miles in their white Monte Carlo, taking Shelly to music contests throughout the Midwest, she had a dream and they were her biggest fans.

Following her college graduation, Shelly returned to Stover, where she took on odd jobs, however, it was a chance encounter at the local Post Office that opened up a world of opportunity. She took a position with the US Postal Service and it didn't take long before she was working at the Post Office in Nashville. For a while she juggled a full time day job, with nightly performances. After falling asleep at a stop light on her way home, she knew she had to choose and true to her calling, the country music singer in her won.

Shelly threw herself into her work, establishing an all-girl band, Shelly Bush and BroadBand. She took every opportunity to perform, working seven days a week doing what she loved most, writing and singing music. She also traveled all over the United States, opening for many famous country music stars. Remembering what it was like to come to Nashville, she took many budding musicians under her wing, giving them pointers and encouragement along the way. Shelly believed in what she did and set an example for others to follow.

Survivors include her parents, Woody and Shirley Bush of Stover, aunts uncles, cousins, members of her band, very special friends in the music industry, along with her many other friends she made throughout the years.

Funeral services will 12:00 noon, Saturday, February 21, at the Stover Community Building with Brother Randy Fischer officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the Stover Community Building. Interment will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Stover with Rev. Gerald Kurka officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Shelly Bush Music Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes.