Rayburn Dennis Rush

A Celebration of Life for Mr. Ray Rush will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM at North Park Church with Rev. Jim Feirtag officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in the House Community.  Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Rayburn Dennis Rush, 84, of Meridian, MS, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2025, surrounded by the family he so deeply loved. Born on July 23, 1940, Ray lived a life marked by quiet strength, unwavering devotion, and a deep faith that guided everything he did.

Ray was a man of kindness, quiet leadership, and integrity. He led not with words, but through steady example — a life lived with loyalty and devotion to his family, work, and community. He was a faithful husband to his beloved wife of 60 years, Yvette Rush, a devoted father to two daughters, Angela Stuart Jackson (Mike), Kim Robinson (fiancé’ Randy Wedgeworth)  a loving grandfather to four granddaughters, Courtney Lietzke (Micah), Tatum Gunn (Alex), Mackenzie Robinson (fiancé’ Tanner Robinson) and Mallory Claire Robinson and a proud great-grandfather to two great-grandchildren, Marshall Gunn and Siobhan Lietzke, brother to his sister Patsy Lovorn (Joe), brother-in-law to his sister-in-law, Charlotte Giles, and many nieces and nephews that were dear to his heart.

Ray attended House High School where he was chosen as Mr. House High School, 1957-58.  He played guitar and sang in the Future Farmers of America High School Band traveling and competing in national competitions in Kansas City.  After graduating he went on to attend Meridian Junior College for two years, earning an Associate’s Degree.  In his youth he was an exceptional athlete playing basketball and baseball.  He continued his baseball career with the semi-professional team in Meridian.

Ray began his career in the glass industry at Miami Glass Company.  He spent 21 years working in sales and management at Binswanger Glass Company before launching his own business, Southern Storefronts, where he served clients with excellence and dedication for 25 successful years before retiring. Whether at work or at home, Ray was known as an incredibly hard worker — humble, patient, and full of quiet understanding. He took pride in everything he did and gave his full attention to even the smallest details.

Ray also served six years in the Air National Guard, including active duty during the Berlin Crisis, and was proud to serve his country with honor.

A man of deep Christian faith, Ray served at Parkview Church of God and then Northpark Church in the roles of guiding council, finance committee, trustee board, choir, Sunday school teacher, and youth leader with humility, always ready to lend a hand and uplift others. His servant’s heart, generosity, and attentiveness touched many lives, though he never sought recognition.

In his free time, he found joy in playing his guitar and singing the old songs — gospel hymns and country classics — often joined by family and friends. His music brought warmth to gatherings and peace to quiet evenings.  Ray was also an excellent vegetable gardener, good cook, and restorer of furniture.

Ray’s life was a beautiful example of what it means to live with faithfulness, grace, and love. He will be remembered for his kind presence, his great penmanship, his steadfast work ethic, and the legacy of faith and family he leaves behind.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Odell and Clara Rush; sister Faye Harris; sons-in-law, Jason Marshall, Alex Stuart, and Shane Robinson; father-in-law, Lonnie Belk; mother-in-law, Elma Belk; and brother-in-law, Dale Giles.

Pallbearers will be Steve Blackwell, Curtis Giles, Alex Gunn, David Kinard, Courtney Lietzke, Tony Pompelia, Chord Robinson, Tanner Robinson, and Randy Wedgeworth.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Daly, Bill Ellington, Dale Ford, Frank Greer, Mike Jackson, Dewayne Joyner, Theresa Kinard, Micah Lietzke, Robert Moore and Charles Stewart.

The family will receive guests an hour prior to services at the church.