Wanda Bush
Wanda Louise (Powell) Bush was born in Whitefield, Okla. on Aug. 8, 1936, to Carl and Geneva (Hulvey) Powell. She passed away on July 15, 2021, in Brooken, Okla. at the age of 84.
She is survived by three sons, J.C. Bush and wife, Donna, of Stigler, Okla., Ronald L. Bush and wife, Wyanema, of Stigler, Okla. and Jeffrey Bush and fiancée, Lori Hartline, of Stigler, Okla.; four daughters, Judy Hamlin and husband, Stanley, of Stigler, Okla., Rhonda Barnett and husband, Paul, of Stigler, Okla., Linda Smith of Stigler, Okla. and Janie Cox and husband, Tony, of Muskogee, Okla.; 22 grandchildren, Sarah Snow, Christopher Bullard, Matt Bullard, Jason Bush, Justin Bush, Michael Bush, Rachel Perry, Jeremy Bush, Julie Bishop, Ryan Stamper, Amy Garman, Emily Hertz, Joe Barnett, Miranda Robinson, Lyndee Hamlin, Jessica Taylor, Jennifer Rooks, Jillia Fletcher, Jacob Cox, Jerrad Bush, Blake Bush and Jordan Bush; 67 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; two brothers, Harold Powell and wife, Joyce, of Stigler, Okla. and Gary Don Powell and wife, Roxanna, of Stigler, Okla.; six sisters, Margaret Madison and husband, Gary, of Cordell, Okla., Joyce Bray and husband, Gary, of Stigler, Okla., Viva Birchell and husband, James, of Stigler, Okla, Carolyn Ballard of Eufaula, Okla., Phyllis Matias and husband, Eddie, of San Antonio, Texas and Brenda Graham and husband, Dave, of Muskogee, Okla.; and five sisters-in-law, Sue Powell of Stigler, Okla., Shirley Turpin of Stigler, Okla., Lillian Bohanan of Stigler, Okla., Linda Voss of McAlester, Okla. and Shirley Williams of Cordell, Okla.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Donell Bush; her parents, Carl and Geneva Powell; her brothers, Kenneth Powell, Murl Powell, Tommy Powell, Carl Ray Powell and Baby Boy Powell; her daughter, Billie Bullard; her granddaughter, Marissa Smith; her great-granddaughter, Holly Cox; and her sons-in-law, George Bullard, Phillip Stamper and Jerry Smith.
Family was always the most important thing in Wanda’s life. It has always amazed people how close the Bush family is, which stems from her faith in God.
Not only did Wanda love her own children, but she loved her school children as well. She began her career with Head Start followed by teaching and retiring from Stigler Schools. Wanda received the Teacher of The Year Award twice during her career.
Donell and Wanda got saved in 1964. From that time forward, God was at the center of her life. Wanda was a prayer warrior, praying often for family members, friends and those in need. She was a charter member of Pioneer Free Will Baptist Church. She was the “head of the kitchen” for many years at Vacation Bible School as well as serving as a Sunday School teacher for many years.
Wanda loved Hallmark movies, trips with her daughters, pretty jewelry and designer purses. She loved the large family dinners that were held in her home.
Faith in God, dedication to her husband and meals around her table have left a legacy that will forever be missed.
Viewing was held at Mallory Chapel in Stigler from 2:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 16 and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Faith Community Church with the Rev. Chris Bullard (her grandson) and the Rev. Brian Snow officiating. Interment followed at Brooken Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory of Stigler.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Matt Bullard, Jason Bush, Justin Bush, Michael Bush, Jeremy Bush, Ryan Stamper, Joe Barnett, Jacob Cox, Jerrad Bush, Blake Bush and Jordan Bush.
Honorary pallbearers were Paul Barnett, Stanley Hamlin and Tony Cox.