Patricia Nell Rushing CRANE, TEXAS Patricia Nell

Patricia Nell Rushing CRANE, TEXAS Patricia Nell Rushing was born on April 7, 1960 in Odessa, TX, only child to Ralph Pat Rushing and Nellie Mae Rushing. Going by "Patsy" or Patricia, she grew up in Odessa and lived there all her life, except for a semester or two in college at McMurry University in Abilene in the late 70's. Patsy had mental, physical, psychological challenges all her life. Though she had these issues, she had many good days and pressed on. Many times, she was as mentally sharp as any of us might be - - - she could recall friends and family's birthdays better than most of us. She was also a strong Christian and could remember Bible verses and lessons from her regular attendance at Crescent Park Baptist Church, and First United Methodist Church (in her earlier years and on special occasions). Patricia loved volunteering in many Vacation Bible Schools at church over the years, and the kids enjoyed her way with them - - - kind, loving, fun. She felt she was doing the Lord's work and that gave her great satisfaction. Patsy also enjoyed the independence she had at her apartment - she could walk to the Music City Mall, doing some window shopping and having lunch at the various eateries in the area. She like Dairy Queen, Chick Filet, and Rosa's Cantina among others. Patsy would often go out for lunch with friends after church who'd picked her up for Sunday services - - - they'd occasionally splurge and go to Texas Roadhouse or Olive Garden or the like. Patsy liked the movies - - - especially those that had a Christian basis or message as its narrative. She loved getting her hair done once a month and rode EZ rider on her own to and from. Often, Patsy would take take a cab to her exercise class or doctor appointments. Many of the EZ rider/cab drivers got to know Patsy and would call her by her name. When Patsy was in a good mood and heard something funny, she'd unabashedly laugh out loud, and anyone within earshot - - - and beyond - - - could hear that infectious laugh. She wasn't embarrassed and didn't mind. But that was just Patsy. And we need more people like that. Somewhat innocent and charmingly naive, Patricia just trusted folks. Sorta like the way it was in the era she grew up in. For those of us who grew up in the Good Ol' Days of the early 1960's, we miss those times, don't we? Patsy's home now - - - a place she longed to be for a long, long time. A number of decades ago Patricia embraced Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, so she's in her eternal home in heaven - - - away from the confines of the small apartment on Grandview Ave. or the skilled nursing facility in Crane. No more taking medicines she didn't like, no more seeing visions she didn't want to see, no more fear of being denied heaven once she's there ... for we know as it says in Scripture in John 10:28 - - no one will be snatched out of His hand. So she was escorted by angels to Heaven's Gate that early morning on August 14, and exchanged those meager living conditions here on earth for the celestial mansion Jesus had prepared just for her. Patsy even told me on the phone a couple weeks earlier that soon she would dancing in the Kingdom and not coming back. She was ready to go - - - she told me so... many a time. Patsy would want me to ask you: Are YOU ready? You can be. The Good Book tells us in Romans 10: 9 - 10 that if we confess with our mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. That's straight out God's Word. That was Patsy, too, wanting to tell others about Jesus. Though we can't understand it all about Patsy and the kind of difficulties she faced, God left Patsy on this earth for 66 years for a purpose: to be a witness to that truth. So Patsy would ask, if you don't know where you'll spend eternity when your days are spent, you can know. The King of Kings is the key. Jesus is beckoning you to hear the clarion call to follow Him like Patsy did. She had a sweet spirit, didn't she? A memorial service for Patricia Rushing will be held this coming Friday, August 28 at 10:00 am at Crescent Park Baptist Church 3002 E. University Blvd Odessa Donations in her memory are gladly welcomed and can be given to Crescent Park Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis. Patricia Rushing leaves behind a small family: cousin Charles Norman III and his wife Carolyn, second cousins Charles Norman IV (wife Leigh and their four sons "Chaz", Levi, Graham, and Cruz Norman), and Noelle Overturf (husband Zach and their son Ollie and daughter Lilly). God Bless You all. (Lovingly Submitted by Cousin Charlie)