Obituaries

Henry Joe Rushing, 82, of Luella, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 6th, 2026. Joe embodied humility, honesty, hard work, service to others and possessed a steadfast knowledge that when his earthly journey ended, he would be welcomed home in Heaven.

Joe was born on February 7, 1944, in Blue Ridge, Texas, to Henry Odell Rushing and Mary Frances Huffman Rushing. He was one of fourteen children in a large and loving family.

He built a career in software engineering with Texas Instruments. Beyond his work, Joe's heart belonged to Jesus, his family and Grayson Bible Baptist Church, where he served as treasurer. Joe enjoyed life's simple pleasures, like tending to his cows, spending time in his garden, camping, canning pickles, and making the best homemade pecan pie and ice cream anyone had ever tasted.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Odell Rushing and Mary Frances Huffman Rushing; his previous wives, Shirley Bartelmey Rushing and Ruby Riggins Rushing; his son, Dean Perkins, his granddaughter, Cheyla Ruth Pettett; his son-in-law, Paul Dean Pettett; his daughter-in-law, Angie Bow Rushing; and his brothers and sisters, William Odell, Daniel, Charles, Bobby, Edward, Mary, Nelda, Shirley, Horace, Clois, Glen, Doris Dee, and Phyllis June.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jackie Day Rushing; his children, Karen Day Hawkins, Dawn Perkins Krutilla and husband Steve, Ken Day and wife Mitzi, Stephanie Rushing Pettett, Jeffrey Joe Rushing and wife Gail, Daniel Wade Rushing and wife Michelle, Deborah Day Murphree and husband Blake, and John Henry Rushing and wife Heather; 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.

Visitation will take place Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Dannel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on September 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at Grayson Bible Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Luella Cemetery.