Nelda Midkiff Bush

Nelda Bush

1950 – 2018

Nelda D. Midkiff Bush, age 68, left this life on December 29, 2018. She was born in Orange, TX on December 24, 1950 to Colvert Crokett “Bill” Midkiff and Mary Lou Casburg Midkiff.

One of the kindest, most loving women, Nelda was an example of Christ’s love to everyone. Accepting of others, she always saw the good and never the bad. Those around her always felt welcome, and those that met her, like they had always known her. On May 31, 1970, she gave birth to her daughter Cassie, and their bond was like no other. She met her husband, Marty, in August of 1981 at a work picnic at Dam B. Nelda was strictly a city girl before they met, but a visit to his family farm changed that; after marrying on January 30, 1982, they lived there for the rest of their lives, raising everything from chickens to cattle. Her marriage to Marty blessed her with three bonus kids, who would grow to love her like a mother. A hard worker, she was conscientious about everything she did; dedicating many years to her job at Beaumont Radiology. She would go to Walmart almost every day, the quickest trip being rarely less than two hours. Support from Nelda came no matter the event, sport or activity her grandkids were involved in; whether they called her Grandma or PomPom, she made each of her many grandchildren feel like they were the favorite. From her famous “cartwheels” to her “cruise” with the grandkids on the Galveston Ferry, Nelda liked a practical joke and a good laugh. She took joy in the smallest things in life: playing matchmaker over the years, including for her son, James; watching the construction of a cell phone tower on the farm from her rocking chair; and making sure, even when sick, to play her solitaire and daily word games on her iPad. Especially close with her sisters, she loved their daily talks, which included an occasional “accidental” facetime to their group chat, and annual trip that always included a picture with Santa and meal at PF Changs; despite her sickness, she was able to make the 2018 trip. A “Proverbs 31” woman, Nelda’s memory and kindness will always have a special place in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Left to honor her memory is her loving husband of 36 years, Martin Bush Sr.; daughters, Cassie Palermo and husband, Cliff, of Beaumont, TX and Mary Kuehn and husband, Conrad, of Kountze, TX; sons, Martin “Marty” Bush Jr. and wife, Chrystina, of Kountze, TX and James Bush and wife, Audra, of Lumberton, TX; grandchildren, Martin Bush III, Brandon Bush, Janie Addison, Rebekah Guillote, Carrie Sticker, Ashley Bush, Anthony Gutierrez, Abby Gutierrez, Justin Bush, Dakota Kuehn, Holly Palermo and Josh Palermo; sisters, Lola Marie Dubois and husband, Harvey, of Orange, TX and Vivian Midkiff Tharp and husband, Jim, of Dayton, TX; 12 great-grandkids; aunt, Joyce Midkiff, who along with late husband, David, loved her like a daughter; numerous nieces and nephews that referred to her as “Nanny Nelda”; and all her aunts, uncles and cousins who loved her dearly.

Preceding her in death were her parents and uncle, David Midkiff.

Visitation with family and friends will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Lumberton Family Funeral Home. Nelda’s life honoring service will be on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1600 S Pine St, Kountze, TX, with Bro. Kevin McClusky officiating, and burial will follow at Old Hardin Cemetery in Kountze, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association at https://phassociation.org/donate/. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Texas Home Health & Hospice for the compassionate care provided during Nelda's illness.

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