Obituary for Joan Marie Rush (Sutherland)
Joan Marie Rush, 82, of Heathsville passed away on April 29, 2021 at home with family beside her. Joan was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to William Edward Sutherland and Bessie Cornelia Merchant Sutherland, but spent most of her life in Fairfax, Virginia and on the Northern Neck. She also spent part of her adulthood in Romney, West Virginia where she was a devoted member of the Baptist Church of Romney. Joan was the widow of James Austin Rush. She drove a school bus for the Fairfax County Public School System and is fondly remembered by many for her patience with and love of young people.
Clear evidence of Joan’s love for children is found with her own six sons and one daughter! She took tremendous delight in being a mother and that showed in everything she did. She was frequently found in the kitchen and kept everyone well-fed and well-loved. Always on the move, Joan worked very hard both inside and outside of her home. She cared for all living things – she had many dear Jack Russell terriers over the years and doted on all of them. She fed hummingbirds, songbirds, deer and squirrels in the yard and she loved to grow flowers. She loved being outdoors in nature. Joan was a devout Christian and enjoying leading children’s Bible study at church. She loved music and singing. As her own children grew and began to have children of their own Joan became the world’s best grandmother and then great-grandmother!
Surviving Joan are her seven loving children: Herbert D. Hall (Amy Lynch Hall) of Callao, Janna Lee Riley of Lorton, William D. Hall of Heathsville, Paul T. Hall (Diana) of Heathsville, Lawrence Hall of Florida, Mark P. Hall (Vicky) of Lorton, and William G. Smith (Kimberly) of Partlow; her sister Pat Roberts (Don) of Stafford; her sister-in-law Lorraine Sutherland of Stafford; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother Billy Sutherland, and two grandchildren, Breanna Hall and Danny Hall.
A graveside memorial service for Joan will be held shortly and details about this service will be posted on the Welch Funeral Home website as soon as they become available. Hospice chaplain Dolly Loomis will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you honor Joan by making a donation in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter at 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102 or at www.alz.org.
Clear evidence of Joan’s love for children is found with her own six sons and one daughter! She took tremendous delight in being a mother and that showed in everything she did. She was frequently found in the kitchen and kept everyone well-fed and well-loved. Always on the move, Joan worked very hard both inside and outside of her home. She cared for all living things – she had many dear Jack Russell terriers over the years and doted on all of them. She fed hummingbirds, songbirds, deer and squirrels in the yard and she loved to grow flowers. She loved being outdoors in nature. Joan was a devout Christian and enjoying leading children’s Bible study at church. She loved music and singing. As her own children grew and began to have children of their own Joan became the world’s best grandmother and then great-grandmother!
Surviving Joan are her seven loving children: Herbert D. Hall (Amy Lynch Hall) of Callao, Janna Lee Riley of Lorton, William D. Hall of Heathsville, Paul T. Hall (Diana) of Heathsville, Lawrence Hall of Florida, Mark P. Hall (Vicky) of Lorton, and William G. Smith (Kimberly) of Partlow; her sister Pat Roberts (Don) of Stafford; her sister-in-law Lorraine Sutherland of Stafford; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother Billy Sutherland, and two grandchildren, Breanna Hall and Danny Hall.
A graveside memorial service for Joan will be held shortly and details about this service will be posted on the Welch Funeral Home website as soon as they become available. Hospice chaplain Dolly Loomis will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you honor Joan by making a donation in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter at 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102 or at www.alz.org.