Albert Holly Rusher

Albert Holly Rusher, 94, peacefully passed into eternity to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 12, 2017. He was born in Brinkley, Arkansas, on August 3, 1922 and graduated from Brinkley High School in 1940. He attended the University of Arkansas for 2 years before receiving an appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. After graduation from the Academy, he served aboard the USS Missouri for 3 years in various parts of the world. He remained in the Naval Reserve for 20 years at the Naval Air Station in Millington, Tenn., before retiring as a Commander in 1969. Rusher worked in the hotel and motel business at the Rusher Hotel and Motel from 1949 until 1963. During that time, he served as President of the Arkansas Hotel Greeters Association and President of the Central Regional Hotel Greeters of America. He went to work at the Bank of Brinkley in 1964, becoming President and CEO in 1969, and then Chairman of the Board in 1988. During his many years in banking, he served the Arkansas Bankers Association in many capacities and on several committees. Rusher was past president of the Brinkley Chamber of Commerce, Brinkley Rotary Club, Brinkley Planning Commission, and Chairman of the Brinkley Housing Authority. He was selected Brinkley Citizen of the Year in 1992. He was a member of the First Baptist Church since 1931 and served as deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Sunday School teacher through the years. Rusher served on the Board of Directors of Ouachita Baptist University, the Board of Visitors of the US Naval Academy, the state and national advisory board of the Small Business Administration, and served on the National Advisory Board of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign for two campaigns. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Betty McKnight Rusher of Jonesboro; son, Gus (Liz) Rusher of Fayetteville; daughter, Debbie (Robin) Nix of Jonesboro; daughter-in-law, Pam Rusher of Jonesboro; 10 grandchildren: Holly (Jim) Wells, of Jonesboro; Will (Courtney) Rusher, of Little Rock; Ashley (Jeff) Jones of Jonesboro; August (Kim) Rusher of Rogers; Rex Rusher of Fayetteville; Robin (Libby) Nix Jr. of Jonesboro; Tim (Diana) Nix of Nolensville, Tenn.; Lacey (Jim) Gramling of Jonesboro; Judson (Heather) Nix of Arvada, Colo.; and Lynley (Ben) Mandrell of Arvada, Colo. He is also survived by 27 great grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be family members. Honorary pallbearers will be the Bank of Brinkley directors and staff. Visitation will be Friday, July 14 2017, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Brinkley, Ark. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with burial afterwards in Oaklawn Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church, 215 W. Elm Street, Brinkley, Ark. 72021; Storyline Fellowship, 7531 Indiana Street, Arvada, Colo. 80007; or Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes/Family Care Home-Jonesboro, P.O. Box 552, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Register online at www.fowlerfh.com.