John Willis Rushing

A service to honor the life of Mr. John Willis Rushing will be at 1 pm Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Calvary Baptist Church of Natchitoches. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Baptist Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time on Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church.   John Rushing, 82 years of age and a resident of  the Oak Grove Community passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019, with his family by his side.  He was born on December 2, 1936, to Claude and Olla Mae Rushing.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Johnny Rushing; siblings, Lucille DuConge', Mamie Morgan, Hubert Rushing, Melvin “Hot” Rushing, and Robert Rushing; as well as a granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Rushing.   John was a hard worker and good provider for his family.  A farmer in his earlier years, and then later, a truck driver by trade. Later on in his life, he really enjoyed driving the transport van for the underprivileged adults through Natchitoches Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC). He truly loved the students and they loved him too. He was proud to have served in the United States Airforce and was a member of the local VFW.  He was also proud to be a free and accepted Mason. Many years ago, a member of the CB Radio Club. A long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church, he enjoyed fellowship with his church family, taking pictures at the church fellowships, and especially being a part of the Calvary Baptist Singing Group. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.   He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rosella "Rose" Moody Rushing; daughters, Teresa Rushing, and Brenda Rushing Basco and husband Dennis; sons, David Rushing and wife Kathy and Ben Rushing; siblings, Katherine Michaelson, Patsy Rushing, Ed Rushing, and Clifton Rushing. He was blessed with 14 grandchildren, Shaun, Timmy, Chad, Jessica, Melissa, Kylie, Laura, Bridgette, Jonathan "John Boy", Angel, Brandon, Brittany, Dalton, and Dustin; 21 great-grandchildren, Dalyn, Parker, Leo, Gypsy, David, Hunter, Kaelyn, Kaylie, Ty, Riley, Summer, Jade, Marilyn, Max, Jaxon, Caiden, Raegan, Austin, Autumn, Audie, and Ayyla; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.   Pallbearers: Chad Rushing, Brandon Basco, Dalton Basco, Dustin Basco, Jonathan "John Boy" Rushing and Dennis Basco. Honorary Pallbearers: David Rushing, Ben Rushing, Ed Rushing, Clifton Rushing, Adam Ross and Nick Hughes     The family would like to send a very special thanks to all the friends who dropped everything they were doing numerous times over the last several months in order to run over to help my dad and us out when he was in a bind, along with the ones who helped us drive him to and from his cancer treatments and other doctors appointments. A big thank you also to the staff and medical providers at the V.A. Hospital and Cabrini Cancer Center in Alexandria, the local V.A. Clinic in Natchitoches, his V.A. helper, Mariah Rushing, the staff, nurses and aides from Heart of Hospice in Alexandria. He thought the world of all of you. Last, but not least by far, to all of his friends in his "Band" and all of the church singing groups he was a part of, y'all were all a BIG part of his heart!! Thanks so much for bringing the "Band" to his house the last several months when he was no longer able to get out and go with y'all. He LOVED all of you.   2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."