Obed Samuel, Sam, Rushing of Atlanta, Tx. passed away Friday, June 30 in a local nursing facility.
Sam was born on October 18, 1938 to Drew Kirkling and Susannah Rushing in Magnolia, Ms., and spent his childhood moving about the southwest Mississippi region as a sharecropper with his family. Soon after graduating from Progress (Ms) High in 1958 he moved to Dallas, Tx where he met and married Jefferson, Tx native Felicia Taylor in 1960—a union which would last until her death in 2013.
After six years in the Metroplex, and three sons later, the family moved back to Jefferson where Sam opened Rushing Pest Control service in 1968. The company’s quick growth allowed Sam’s older brother, Arlen, to partner with him. In 1972 Sam moved his family as the business expanded to Atlanta, Tx where he would operate it with his sons until his retirement in 2008.
Known throughout his life for many hobbies and interests, Sam was a charter member of the Atlanta Bass Club where he gained notoriety in 1975 for “haulin’-in” the area’s first 10-pound bass. He was also a die-hard, to put it mildly, Atlanta Rabbit fan.
Fishing and sports aside, Sam may have been best known for his love for Jesus. He was quick to tell anyone, “I wasted the first 40-years of my life and told God I would make up for it if he would give me 40-more.” He was true to his word as he devoted the rest of his life to teaching and ministering at local churches and as a Certified Volunteer Chaplain at the Barry Telford Unit, TDCJ.
In addition to Felicia, Sam was preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings, and a second wife, Charlene, of Summit, Ms.
He is survived by sons Steve (Cindy), Andy (Amy), Perry (Karen) all of Atlanta, and a special nephew, Gary Ansley (Eve) of Jefferson. Grandchildren Julianna Bowen (Patrick) of Lake Havasu City, Az, Cody (Emily) of Corpus Christi, Tx, Candace Gamez (Robert) of Atlanta, Timothy Douglas Rushing of Linden, Tx, and Emerson Rushing of Atlanta. Great grandchildren Parker and Olivia Bowen, Chloe and Mila Cloutier, Jameson and Michaela Gamez, and Tucker Rushing. Also, too numerous to list are the number of relatives, and very special friends he made during his life’s journey.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Hanner Funeral Service and a private family service will be held in the future. Those wishing to honor Sam’s memory may donate to Telford Prison Ministries, 214 N Lindsey St., New Boston, Tx 75570.