Mary Lois Mitchell Bush was born on Aug. 28, 1922, in Cordele, Ga., the sixth child of 11 children born to the late Mary Evans Mitchell and Bradley H. Mitchell.

Lois accepted Christ at an early age and joined St. James AME Church of Bartow where she was a member of the choir and youth ministry.

She graduated from Union Academy High School in 1941 and pursuing a cosmetology career, she graduated from Florida A&M College.

After graduation she opened Lois’s Beauty Salon and for more than 25 years she provided professional service to clients from around Polk County. She also was employed by Polk County Schools as a food service manager at Fort Meade Middle School until she retired in 1991.

In 1943 Lois married the love of her life, Willie A. Bush Sr., and was a devoted wife for 66 years until his death in 2009. They provided a loving and Christian home to four blessed children.

Mrs. Bush continued a lifetime of dedicated service to Mount Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church for more than 60 years. She was an active member of the Deaconess Ministry, Adult Choir, Sunday School and culinary staff and participated in various ministries at the church.

The long precious years of her devotion, service and love came to an end quietly Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Bartow Regional Medical Center.

She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Willie A. Bush Jr. and wife Dr. Mary, Col. Marshall L. Bush and wife Jackie, Rhonda B. Kelly and husband Jeff, Valerie A. Dollison and husband Rev. Clifton; two sisters, Bobbie McKennie and Vernell Thomas; one brother, Bradley Mitchell and wife Jeri; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Friday, Feb. 3, from 5-
7 p.m. at Mt. Gilboa M.B. Church, Bartow. Funeral: Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m., at the church.

Arrangements: Williams Funeral Home, Bartow.