Our wonderful, beautiful, and beloved mother Alberta Mae (Griffith) Rush, 84, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 after a lengthy illness at Heartland Health Care Center, 5401 Sawyer Dr, Sarasota, FL.
Mom formerly lived in Wilcox, PA, Pahrump, NV, Delta, OH and Lyons, OH. She attended Delta Church of Christ where she had so many friends. Due to ill health, she moved to Sarasota, FL in February, 2012 to live with her daughter Sandra A. Bittigar & husband Paul.
Our mother was born on Thursday, February 6, 1930 in their home built by her Grandfather, Albert J. Griffith, on Owens Road, East Toledo, OH (now Northwood) to Yvonne Irene (Davis) and Jesse Marion Griffith. When she was 7, her family moved nearby to 4148 Royer Drive, Northwood, OH to their new home near Cedar Creek built by her father during the Great Depression. Her father built many homes, two of which they lived in. She lived there until she married. She attended Millbury Elementary School, and graduated from Lake High School in 1948.
On Friday evening, May 21, 1948, she married Robert Lee (Bob) Rush of Waynesburg, PA at the Second Baptist Church, East Toledo, OH with a reception at Lime City Hall. Bob was a WW II, U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Pacific on the decorated battleship U.S.S. Washington (BB-56) as a S2C Gunner’s Mate. Mom and Dad loved this country and for five years they traveled extensively in their RV out west and wintered in Pahrump, NV. Dad always called Mom “Berta” and they were married 56 years when her beloved Bob (79) went to be with the Lord on October 23, 2004.
She loved the Lord and her family so very much and was a loving, kind, devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She worked hard for her family all her life and never complained. Mom’s real God-inspired passion was serving others. She had a very sweet disposition and gave from her heart and made a positive difference in every life she touched. She was a selfless giver and never thought of herself first. She was also a fantastic cook and baker and you never went hungry in our home. She made sure you ate dessert too and often brought out many flavors of ice cream. And you’d dare not say no. Spending time with family and friends talking and having fun around the dinner table was a priority, too, and you never ate in front of the TV.
Mom was a gifted singer with a beautiful voice and she loved to play the piano and organ. She also enjoyed flowers, gardening, sewing, arts & crafts, ceramics, travel, gospel and western music and southwestern art. She loved to play cards and board games and one of her favorites was Aggravation. She enjoyed winning and earned the nickname “The Barracuda”. Mom loved people and she loved to please. Mom wasn’t into style or fashion, she preferred smiles and compassion. Her work on earth is done and Heaven with Jesus is her reward.
We love you so very much Mom. You are precious in God’s sight and you made a huge difference in our lives. It’s hard to say goodbye for now Mom, but we will see you again one day!
Mom is survived by her Brother, Edwin D. (Mary Ellen) Griffith, Perrysburg, OH; Uncle, Donald M. Griffith, Perrysburg, OH; Four Children: Son, Lee E. (Sharon) Rush, Peru, IN; Daughter, Connie S. Wayde, Crossville, TN; Son, Bruce R. (Marchelle) Rush, Peru, IN; & Daughter, Sandra A. (Paul) Bittigar, Sarasota, FL; Eight Grandchildren: Tara A. (Eugene) Scott, Bunker Hill, IN; Stephanie M. (Bryan) Sawyers, Greencastle, IN; Serenity (Joshua) Schultt, Waterville, OH; Evonne (Karl) Mullinix, Westminster, MD; Kaylee C. Rush (& Robert Lawson), Fort Worth, TX; Kalissa (Jonathon) Hood, Clovis, NM; Joshua R. (Tai) Northrup, San Jose, CA; Brandi L. (Rob) Runyon, Newport News, VA; Nieces & Nephews: Carol J. Rush, Northwood, OH; Barry A. (Marcy) Grimm, Monongahela, PA; Susan (Jeff) Shough, Powell, OH; Mark (Kathy) Griffith, Cincinnati, OH; Jean (Rick) Griffith, Dublin, OH; Jay (Jennifer) Griffith, Luckey, OH; Joann Powell, Marysville, OH; and 16 Great Grandchildren and several cousins.
Mom was preceded in death by her Parents, Yvonne I. (Davis) & Jesse M. Griffith, Genoa, OH; Husband, Robert L. (Bob) Rush, Wilcox, PA & Delta, OH; Infant Sister, Patricia (Patsy) I. Griffith, East Toledo, OH; Brother, William J. Ruth) Griffith, Columbus, OH; Daughter, Sharon L. (David) Baker, Northwood, OH; Grandson, Daniel L. Rush, Tracy, CA; and Grandson-in-law, Richard K. Halbrook, Bunker Hill, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.