Barbara Champion Bush

Barbara Champion Bush of Little Rock passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. She was born on November 17, 1950 in Cleveland, Mississippi to James Henry Champion and Nell Ruth Champion. She grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi and graduated from Greenwood High School. Barbara attended Millsaps College, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in education and received a master's degree in reading. Barbara was an elementary school teacher for many years. She taught at schools in Jackson and Clarksdale, Mississippi; and North Little Rock and Little Rock, Arkansas. Later in her life, she received a master's degree in library science and information technology from the University of Oklahoma. Barbara was a school librarian in the Little Rock School District and at Carlisle Junior/Senior High School before she retired. Barbara's passion in life was her family, friends, and students. She wanted every student to have the opportunity to fulfill their potential in learning and in life. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Henry Champion, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Thomas James Bush, Jr., and sons, Thomas James Bush III of Mobile, Alabama, and Kyle Russell Bush of Conway, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Jan Champion of Greenwood, Mississippi; niece, Sallie Kate Covington and husband Shannon of Greenwood, Mississippi, and their daughter Sarah Kinley; and nephew, James Christopher Champion and wife Olivia of Jackson, Mississippi, and their daughter Amelia. Barbara was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Services will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72205, on Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, Mississippi on Friday, August 22 at 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church; the Barbara C. Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Debbye Harrison, 9952 Highway 13 North, Carlisle, Arkansas 72024; and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. An online guestbook is available at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.