Frances Rushin

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Frances Kathleen Jackson Walters Rushin was born February 22, 1924 in Flatwood, Alabama (Wilcox County). She died at Cedar Crest Nursing Home in Montgomery, September 12, 2009.
Her mother was Lela DeWitt Hicks, and father was Clinton Waldo Jackson. She had three sisters and three brothers. She was the sole remaining survivor of her immediate family.
She was a graduate of Thomasville High School, Thomasville, Al. and Selma Business School, Selma, Al. She was the owner and manager of real estate and rental property in Fort Walton Beach, Fl for 34 years. She attended Calvary Baptist Church, Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. She was also a resident of Montgomery, Alabama for 17 years and a member of Taylor Rd. Baptist Church and a member of Sue Parker’s Sunday school Class.
The family is grateful to the Nursing Home Ministry of First United Methodist Church of Montgomery and the church at Wesley Gardens Assisted Living, Cedar Crest Nursing Home, Hospice of Montgomery, and her dear and devoted nurses. Kathleen Rushin was a lover of life, and God’s people.
She was the last surviving member of her family of three sisters and three brothers.
It was in the middle of her life that she accepted Christ. This love for him was a change that lasted throughout her life. She lived a good life and her great joy was in helping people. Kathleen loved reading, music and travel. Life brought great challenges each day and she met with determination and perseverance.
She had a keen wit and laughed often. Never forgot a name and made sure she knew everyone in an establishment by their full name. When next she saw them, she also made certain she knew their spouses and children as well as their names. She made friends easily and was loyal.
Kathleen believed in the work ethic and enjoyed her life in Ft. Walton Beach, managing her properties, and keeping up with the lives of those she came in contact with. She had a close relationship with God, and cherished the years she spent at Wesley Gardens in Montgomery. She was grateful for the loving care of Cedar Crest Nursing and the powerful, loving presence of Hospice of Montgomery and her nurses: Mary Harris, Belinda Rivers, and Sarah Hyde.
Kathleen cherished her daughter Geri and son-in-law Rufus Craig, her grandsons, Baxter Ellzey and Robert Ellzey, and her great grandson, Rob Ellzey. Family was utmost in her mind, never forgetting to keep up by telephone with her many nieces and nephews, cousins, distant and afar. If you weren’t kin, she made you kin. She had a large capacity to love.
Her husband, John H. Walters of Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. preceded her in death.
She was survived by her daughter, Geri Ellzey Craig and Rufus H. Craig. Grandsons, W. Baxter Ellzey (Rebecca) of Sardis and Robert E. Ellzey (Nanette) of Prattville. Great Grandson, Robert (Rob) E. Ellzey III, Stepson, Harold Walters, stepdaughter, Ada Belle Walters Kelly and granddaughter Kay Gauze of Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. Nieces and nephews are Ginger Purvis of Auburn, Barney and Sandra Purvis of La Grange, Ga. Jannelle and Charles Peevy, Debra and Roger Barnes, Pip and Johnny Hudson of Jackson, Al. Lisa and Reginald Browning of Demopolis and sister in law, Shirley Killett of Selma.
Visitation will be held at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home Tuesday, September 15, at 11:00 and Graveside services will follow at New Live Oak Cemetery at 12:00. Officiate and Eulogy by Dr. Bill Gardner of Shiloh Baptist Church of Sardis, Alabama. Pall Bearers will be William Baxter Ellzey, Robert Earl Ellzey II, Robert Earl Ellzey III, Dr. James Stuart Craig, IV, Barney Purvis Jr., and Charles Peevy.
Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.