Oma Gay Rush

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
10:00 A.M.
Service Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
11:00 A.M.
Cemetery
Melbourne Cemetery
Melbourne, AR  
Memorial Contributions
Arkansas Hospice
14 Parkstone Circle
North Little Rock, AR  72116


Pleasant Valley Church of Christ
10900 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR  72212
Oma Gay Rush

April 5, 2019

Oma Gay Rush, age 90, of Little Rock, Arkansas, went to be with her Heavenly Father Friday morning, April 5, 2019 surrounded by her family at home. She was born Oma Gay Weaver in LaCrosse, Arkansas, Izard County on March 16, 1929. At the age of 15, she married Vernon Rush, 17, in Melbourne, Arkansas on July 25th, 1944. They were married 47 years before he passed in 1991.

Survived by her daughter Barbara Langhammer (Little Rock), her son Ben and daughter-in-law JoAnne Rush, their children, Barry (Morgan) Rush, Leah (Jonathan) Reding, Elizabeth (Joseph) Ray and their children, along with granddaughters Leigh Ann (Craig) Evans and Lindy (Chuck) Gschwend and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents and Aunt Eunice Rose, her husband, Vernon Rush, her eldest son Bill Rush, and daughter-in-law April Rush.

She served as Director of Information Centers for Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for 22 years. Her love for the Natural State was second to none which led to her enjoying the beauty of Lake Hamilton for 31 years. Her many awards included being voted Hot Springs Volunteer of the Year, Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame as given to her from former Governor Mike Huckabee and Levi Hospital Hospice Volunteer of the Year. She was an ''Ambassador'' for Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Jazz Society Board Member and a Miss Arkansas Chaperone. She left an indelible mark on the heart of Arkansas and Arkansas left an indelible mark on her.

Despite her many professional achievements, her true love was always her family. She was most happy with serving family meals any time of the day. Having learned the value of home cooking from her Aunt Eunice, she loved cooking for her family. Sunday lunches at her house with her famous homemade yeast rolls, coconut, chocolate, and pecan pies are treasured memories and testament to her Proverbs 31 skills. But the family's favorite meal was the ''Hot Springs Breakfast'' which included homemade cinnamon rolls, bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, gravy, and fresh cut fruit. If you left her home hungry, it wasn't because she didn't offer you food and drink multiple times. During her later years, the grandkids and great grandkids became her passion. Anytime one of her grandkids or great grandkids did something mischievous, her eyes would light up, she would laugh because she took delight in their antics. She loved a good joke, fun and simply having them around.

Another great love was traveling. Gay and Vernon enjoyed many vacations together and after Vernon's death, Gay traveled extensively with her daughter Barbara. They traveled the world together and rich memories were made. In between exotic cruises, she was content with a cruise originating from her own dock on her party barge with kids and grandkids in tow.

The family is very grateful to Hospice and her loving caretakers, Eyverne Wright and Que Wright for their care and love of Gay.

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10 Condolence(s)
Dorothy( Gillis ) Lucas
Lake Village, AR
Liked
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

To the Family of Gay Rush
I met her in 1987 when she hired me for my job with Parks and Tourism. She saw something in me that no one else did.She gave me a chance. I appreciated her from that day to now because she became a MENTOR to me. I remember when we would use two vans to go on Tour she in one and Leigh in another. She made whatever fun and we were important to her we became her family.
Rest in peace for the Lord has received a faithful worker and the best at what she did.
Dorothy Lucas

Jim Rush
Greenville, SC
Liked
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Dear Barbara and Ben,
Even though it has been many years ago, I with June and Joyce, still have wonderful feelings and memories regarding the strength of your mother, being our Aunt Gay. She was a stabilizing force for all of us, meaning Bill, Barbara, and Ben with Jim, June, and Joyce while we were growing up as kids. I was always so appreciative that Aunt Gay was such a good friend to our mother, your Aunt Irene. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of losing such a wonderful person, as your mother and our Aunt Gay!

Donna Lansdowne Freeman
Hot Springs, AR
Liked
Monday, April 8, 2019

Dear Barbara and Family, Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of your mother, Gay. She was one of the first people we met when we joined the Hot Springs Jazz Society. She was always so friendly and open to meeting new people. I know she loved you dearly and loved the traveling you did together. She has left a great Legacy in her family and friends. She will be remembered for her graciousness in the years to come. Please extend our condolences to your family. Donna and Bill Freeman

Bobbie Carr Davidson
Roland, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

Prayers for the family of Oma Gay.

Jeanie Trunkenblz
Hot Springs, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I was acquainted
with her through the Hot Springs Emblem Club in Hot Springs, AR.
She was so friendly and a gracious hostess. Will keep you in my prayers. With deepest heartfelt sympathy.

Kay (STILES) HInkle
Mountain View, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

Barbara, I just read about your Mom in the state paper and want you to know I send my sincere sympathy to you and your family. Thinking of you with special thoughts and prayers. Kay

Mary Lou Davenport
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

Barbara, Benny & Joanne I am so sorry to learn that Gay left us. I have hundreds of happy memories we made at P& T and even after we both left there. Gay brought sunshine every time she entered a room. The OB is right..she deeply loved her family and our State. I will always remember her.


Kerry Kraus
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

I remember so distinctly my first day at the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. My desk was right outside the office of a pretty blonde dynamo — Gay Rush. She was a whirlwind of activity always going and doing. She taught me so much in the over 20 years I worked with her. God bless you and your family Gay. I know how important they were to you.

Kerry

Robert G Liming
Columbia, SC
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

A remarkable lady who loved and served the State of Arkansas, its citizens and countless thousands of visitors with honor and dignity. Her dedication and hard work set the example for all of us in the travel industry; her homespun humor and heartfelt caring deeply touched everyone she ever met. Gay was one of God's special gifts to each and everyone of us who was honored to know her during our time on earth. Her laughter, her caring, her encouragement will never be forgotten---she touched our harts with laughter and joy! May God bless and comfort her family and give them His wonderful peace during the days ahead.

Ted and Christie Williams
Hot springs, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 7, 2019

One of the most spectacular people either of us have ever known.
GAY became my wife's second mother and Barbara became one our most cherished friends. The whole Rush family epitomizes Gays determination, perseverance, and lust for life and friends.
There are simply some people that when they leave us, no other can replace and this is one.
" I will come with (tears) and a dream in my eyes tonight, knock at the gate of your heart and show you the perfect place for sleep"
E.E. Cummings