Bobbie Leigh Wilson
Bobbie Leigh Rushing Wilson was born on March 27, 1973 at Dayton, Texas. She departed this life on May 12, 2016 at St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas at the age of 43.
Bobbie is survived by her mother, Sharon Cole, of Jefferson City, Missouri; her father, Bobby Rushing of Highlands, Texas; one sister, Cheryl Timbs and husband Bobby of Hot Springs, Arkansas; one half-sister, Liz Burgess of Deer Park, Texas; three uncles; Johnny Davis and wife Helen of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Wayne Davis and spouse Kenn of San Francisco, California and Jeffrey Cole of Houston, Texas; two aunts; Alice Allen and husband Bruce of Liberty, Texas and Kay Milum and husband Wayne of Baytown, Texas; one great uncle, Earl Pittman and wife Geneva of Foxworth, Mississippi and one great aunt, Shirley Pittman of Foxworth, Mississippi; several very exceptional friends; Brandi Sweatt and her husband Brent of LaPorte, Texas; Tami Rushing and LeAnn Rushing both of Houston, Texas ; Crisann Harp of Sheridan, Arkansas; Stacia Sekerak of Windsor, Colorado; George Buckner of Jefferson City, Missouri; Trish Hawkins of Rebublic, Missouri; Caren Crase of Afton, Missouri; Karen Kvaas of Grayslake, Illinois; numerous cousins and an abundance of friends; all whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her beloved companions and fur babies, Jabo and Sugar; step father, Ed Cole; step mother, Linda Rushing; grandparents, Ted and Helen Davis and Marshall and Emma Rushing; Grandmother, Goldie Davis; great grandparents, Wilkus and wife Maude Pittman and Dewey Henry Rushing; niece, Caitlyn Timbs; half-brother, Jonathan Rushing; uncle, Marshall Rushing, Jr.; aunts, Norma Jean Rushing and Vicki Mae Rushing; great aunts, Merle Boyd, Wilkie Bracey, Oda Mae Meadows and Verna Walkman; great uncles, Albert Pitman, Jack Rushing, Henry Rushing and Wayne Rushing; cousins, John Faught and Marshall Rushing III.
Bobbie was a perfectly imperfect human being. She forgave others of their trespasses as she hoped to be forgiven of hers. Bobbie knew that love was a verb, not a noun and that love was a behavior. She showed love with her behavior to everyone, every day. Bobbie was precocious and very full of life and her unique giggle was contagious and will always be remembered. She never failed to make people smile or laugh and she brightened everyone's day, without exception. She took so much delight in making other people happy and would stop at nothing to do whatever she could to help a friend. To say that Bobbie was a huge animal advocate is an understatement. No matter where she was at, or what she was doing, if there were animals present, they would gravitate towards her and she would fully embrace them and the love they wanted to give her. Bobbie also was a huge Chicago Cubs fan. Even when she lived in the heart of St. Louis Cardinal territory she would boldly declare her allegiance to her Cubs. She was tiny, but mighty when it came to things she was passionate about or those whom she loved. Bobbie loved music and she loved to sing and dance. She loved to startle people and was always up for pulling a good prank on someone. No one can ever say that Bobbie didn't live life to the absolute fullest. Bobbie made a positive difference and a lasting impression on everyone she met, even if it was just one time. All of these were characteristics that she displayed throughout her entire life. She knew better than most that life was a gift and she definitely never took it for granted. What made that so exceptional is that even in the midst of facing horrific health ailments; she never let it break her spirit or change who she was at her core. She was born with Cystic Fibrosis, which resulted in a double lung transplant on July 2, 2004, she had a near death experience in July of 2012, which she almost fully recovered from, and she was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2015, which is ultimately, what took her from us at such a young age. She has left behind the legacy of a loving, fearless warrior who was brave in the face of her health battles but never let it steal her hope, joy or smile.
There were no services for Bobbie as she chose to donate her body to the Genesis Legacy Project for the advancement of science and medicine. None who know her are surprised that she chose to do this. She was selfless! Giving herself in order to help others is the greatest gift that one can leave. Even after death, she is still making a real, lasting difference in the lives of millions by giving others a better chance at life by participating in groundbreaking medical training and research. We wouldn't be surprised if a cure for ALS or Cystic Fibrosis doesn't come from her contribution. We all know that with Bobbie Rushing Wilson, big things came with her very small package, why should we expect anything less from her in death?
*Special thanks to all the phenomenal medical staff who treated Bobbie for Cystic Fibrosis at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and to Dr. Cole, Dr. Koehn as well the staff at Arkansas Hospice with special mention of Lynn, Gabriella, Elizabeth, Dianne, Shayla and Dakota. Each of you impacted Bobbie's life and we are eternally grateful for the tender love and care you gave her.