L. Rush

Lillian Mireen Rush, 94, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully in Hattiesburg, January 19, 2019.  She was born in Plantersville, AL, on April 17, 1924.  She met Robert Rush, the love of her life, in grade school and married him June 20, 1940.  After living in Alabama and Florida, they settled down in Gulfport, MS, in 1947, where her husband became a general contractor and she kept books for the business.  They lived in Gulfport the remainder of the 78 years they were married.
Mireen was quick to say she preferred to be called Mireen and not Lillian.  Of course, there were many people in her life who affectionately called her Mamaw.  She enjoyed good health for 94 years, and it was not until last June when she broke her left arm and October when she broke her right leg that she began her decline.  Her broken arm was the first bone she had ever broken.
In the center of her life were her family and her church.  She was so proud of all her children and their families and talked about them all the time.  She loved having all her family home at the same time and loved cooking favorite dishes like chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, purple hulls peas, fresh corn, corn bread, lemon ice box pie, fruit cake cookies and pound cake.  She also enjoyed piddling with her beautiful plants, especially her many colors of geraniums.
Mireen's church was always an integral part of her life. She taught Sunday School for over 60 years, and finally retired from teaching when she was 90.  She always loved sending cards for birthdays and illnesses, and she was forever taking her famous lemon ice box pies to shut-ins and church functions.
Mireen was preceeded in death by her parents, her only sibling (a sister) and an infant son.  She is survived by her husband, Robert Rush; three children, Charlotte Savarese (Joe), Alvin Rush (JoAnn), and Beverly Thames (Baron); five grandchildren, Tanya Hood (Hal), Brent Savarese (Laurie), Stephanie Chapuis, Robbie Young (Gerald), and Blake Ogletree (Frank); twelve great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be in the worship center of Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Gulfport on Monday, January 21, 2019, from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., immediately followed by a worship service celebrating her life at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens following the service.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is serving the family.  An online register book may be signed and condolences and photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com