Glendel Rushing, 82, a quiet, kind, gentle soul walked triumphantly through heaven’s gates Monday, March 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Rushing. Born in Durant, Okla., on December 5, 1940 to Jesse and Lillie Rushing, he called himself a “Cobbite.”
He graduated from Cobb High School in 1959. One of Glendel’s highest personal honors was to have delivered Cobb High School’s final Baccalaureate. He loved the people of Cobb like family.
In 1963, Glendel graduated from Southeastern State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in education, earning a major/minor in social studies. Though he studied to become a teacher, God had a different path for him. He ran for Bryan County Assessor in 1964, won that race and continued to serve in that office for 54 years, before he retired in 2019. The County Assessors Association brought him additional honor by electing him President in 1973. He hosted more than one District Associational meeting at Texoma Lodge.
Glendel married his long-time pen pal, Carolyn Jeske, on May 24, 1965, in Cushing, Okla. At his passing, the couple had been married two months short of 58 years.
He enjoyed public speaking. Several Bryan County rural schools allowed him to give graduation addresses. He also performed a number of funerals for family and friends.
On July 31, 1966, Glendel and Carolyn joined Calvary Baptist Church in Durant where Glendel taught a Sunday School class for more than 50 years, was ordained a deacon September 21, 1997 and served as chairman of that group over 20 years. With the help of several members of Calvary, Glendel and Carolyn also established a nursing home ministry, in which Glendel spoke to the residents of all of Durant’s nursing homes and Calera nursing home monthly.
Glendel’s closest relatives were his brothers’ children and their extended families: J.W. (Margaret) Rushing (deceased) and their children: Danny Rushing (deceased) and Sandi Rushing, Jerry (Mary) Rushing, and Denise (Tony) Gomez. Danny and Sandi’s children: Renae (Alan) Simpson, Christina (Tory) Johnson’s children: Tory (Chelsea) Johnson, Jr. Dakota (Brittani) Johnson, Dylan (fiancée, Kristal) Johnson, Daniel Johnson, James Lee Rushing, Clay (Erica) Davidson’s children: Trinity Davidson, Temperance Davison., Timothy (Christy) Rushing’s children: Timothy Rushing, Jr. and Bella. Johnson third generation children: Bentlie, Bailey, Skylin, Allison, Olivia, Ember and Dani. Jerry (Mary) Rushing’s children: Sarah Rushing, Jesse (Nicole) Rushing and daughter, Kyleigh Rushing. Denise (Tony) Gomez’s children: Christopher (Jamie) and children: Christopher Caldwell, Jr., Samantha Caldwell, Avery Taliaferro, and Kinley Taliaferro. Matt (Shannon) Caldwell. Ryan (Carissa) Caldwell and children: Kiley, Keaton, and Korbin Caldwell. Amanda (Franklin) Hall and children: Taylor, Brantley, Axel, and Annabel Hall.
Glendel’s Celebration of Life will be at Calvary Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, with Reverend Darel Bunch and Jeremy Rowland officiating.
Family night will be Friday, March 10 at Holmes/Coffee/Murray Funeral Home from 5-7 pm.
Pallbearers will be: Ricky Nix, Josh Nix, Tony Gomez, Jerry Rushing, Timothy Rushing, and Ryan Rushing. Honorary pallbearers will be Caleb Sunday School class: Glynn Hull, Darel Hearn, Jeff Hilligoss, Steve Boatner, Gene Masters, Alvin Davis and Robert Bokies.
Arrangements under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home.
