Opal Dayne Davidson Bush

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Opal Davidson Bush will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, with her grandson, Corey Irby and Bro. Mike Boles officiating. Interment will follow at Buckatunna Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive guests from 9:00 until 10:45 prior to the funeral service on Thursday. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Bush, 80, of Meridian passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Opal was born in Clarke County, Mississippi. After high school, she met and married the love of her life, Kenneth, and they shared 56 years of marriage. While her greatest priority was caring for her home and raising her family, she also spent 42 years at Van Zyverden, where she served as a supervisor and mentor to many.

Opal’s compassion and creativity made her gifts for caring for others and cooking seem effortless. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to bring people together were reflected in the many events, large and small, she was asked to cater—often simply as a hobby. Her recipes were treasured by many, and her love of vegetable gardening was evident in her farm-to-table kitchen. In later years, she developed a passion for flower gardening and creating welcoming outdoor spaces. She had a love for travel and enjoyed the journey just as much as the destination.

Above all, family was Opal’s greatest joy and driving force. Whether fundraising, cheering and coaching from the sidelines, she was always there to support her grandchildren in their activities. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children Teresa Hearne, Lynn Irby (Craig), and Ken Bush; grandchildren, Tracy Shelton (Gator), Blake Morris (Lisa), Corey Irby (Maggie), and Kirby Irby (Susan); great-grandchildren, Karleigh Williamson (David), Zack Shelton (Anna), Camille Irby, Sheppard Irby, Silas Irby, Henry Irby, and Hardy Irby; great great-granddaughter, Nova Shelton; brother, Sammie Davidson (Doris); her beloved Bush and Davidson brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Bush; her parents; her brothers, Ferrell Davidson, Bobby Davidson, Glen Davidson, Billy Davidson, Earl Davidson, Cecil Davidson, and Hubert Davidson; and one sister, Walterine Davidson Cooke.

Pallbearers will be Craig Irby, Kirby Irby, Gator Shelton, Zack Shelton, David Williamson, and Blake Morris.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.