Ruth Viola Bush

Ruth Viola Sickenger Bush, 101, of Spotsylvania County passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Wilburn Gardens. She was born November 10, 1909 in Cincinnati, Ohio to William and Katherine Sickenger. She graduated from Withrow High School in Cincinnati and was a liberated woman before it was fashionable. She went to night school and became a secretary and worked all her life. She was fired from the Telephone Company when they discovered that she had married. Only single women were allowed to work there. Ruth and James Jeffries Bush were married November 11, 1933. They had 3 children, James J., Jr., of Colorado Springs, CO, Donald J. Sr., of Garrett Park, MD, and Juanita B. Allan, of Spotsylvania, VA. James, Sr., died in 1998, just prior to their 65th wedding anniversary. He met Ruth when they were 10 years old and told his friend he was going to marry her one day. Ruth had six grandchildren, Brenda Bush of Saratoga, WY, James, III, of Puyallup, WA, Joseph W. of Missoula, WY, Donald J, Jr., of Garrett Park, and David M. and Steven D., both of Rockville, MD. Also surviving are five great grandchildren and five and one half great-great grandchildren. Ruth saw the sonogram of her 6th great-great grandchild, a baby girl. She was overjoyed with the news. Ruth worked in the D.C. Court System at the time of her retirement in 1974. She and Jim traveled to Bermuda and Europe twice. They had a travel trailer and went on many trips in that and in later years, they left the trailer in Florida and would drive down for the winters. She had a glorious time in Korea when she visited her son there, and on a visit to Colorado, her son surprised her with a hot air balloon ride. Ruth said if there is reincarnation, she wants to come back as a bird! Ruth was a member of Chancellor Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class, but after her move to Fredericksburg, she attended Fredericksburg Baptist Church and joined The Encouragers Sunday School Class where she forged new friendships. She was a long-time member of The Order of Eastern Star, Fredericksburg Chapter #29 and the Fredericksburg Senior Citizens and went on many trips with them. Ruth’s family will receive friends Friday, December 17, 2010 from 7:00-9:00 pm with an Order of Eastern Star service at 7:30 pm at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels-Cremation Service, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 10:00 am at the funeral chapel with the Rev. Eric Goforth officiating. Interment will follow in Zoan Baptist Church Cemetery. Ruth’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mary Washington Home Health and Hospice, 5012 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. Online condolences may be expressed to Ruth’s family at foundandsons.com.

Ruth Viola Bush

November 10, 1909 - December 14, 2010