She was a graduate of Stephen D. Lee High School in Columbus and earned her undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Mississippi State University. She was a Christian and an active member of the Dorcus Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS. She was an Army wife who accompanied her husband around the world serving as much as he did. She served as president of the Officer’s Wives Clubs in Bamberg, GE and Fort Benning, GA. She taught GED classes to help soldiers and dependants earn their High School diplomas during their Army service. She taught Business Education at East Mississippi Community College and at Leeward Community College, Honolulu, HI. After her husband’s active service, Nan accompanied him to other foreign locations as he worked as a civilian contractor. She spent a total of 10 years in Saudi Arabia.
Nan was a caring and giving person who always found a way to help others. While in Saudi Arabia, she knitted stocking caps and scarves to be distributed in Appalachia, organized shipments of relief supplies for earthquake victims in Nepal, and assisted in the accumulation of school supplies for children in a Philippine orphanage. She had a special passion for childhood literacy and she put that passion in action through the Kiwanis Club of Starkville book drives and book distribution programs. Never one looking for personal recognition, many of her efforts went unnoticed except for those she helped.
She was preceded in death by her parents Roy G. Bobo and Zula Holliman Bobo, by an infant brother Richard Harvey Bobo.
Nan is survived by her husband, Laroy Rushing of Starkville, MS; daughters, Bonnie Boatwright (David) of Columbus, Indiana and Shelly Bretheim (Dave) of Ridgeland, MS; sister, Ellen Hudson of Philadelphia, MS; grandchildren Thomas and Brennan Boatwright, and Natalie and Danielle Bretheim; six nephews and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews and other loving family and friends.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS with the service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Clifton Curtis and Bradley Rushing will conduct the service. Burial will be in the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS.
To honor Nan’s life and help continue her service, donations may be made to CREATE Foundation (identify it for “Starkville Kiwanis/ Nan Rushing Memorial Book Fund” ) at P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802, OR on-line donations can be made at www.createfoundation.com .
