Funeral Service for Mother Essie Mae Grice Bush was held onTuesday, February 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church, 35881 Highway 17, Butler, Alabama.  Rev. Dr. AL Smith, Pastor & Officiant. Interment, Morning Star Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mother Essie Mae Grice Bush, age 86, peacefully entered eternal rest on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Born on May 29, 1939, to the late Kennedy and Dessie Grice.

Essie Mae lived a life rooted in faith, love, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

At an early age she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized, becoming a life-long and faithful member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Butler, Alabama.  Her love for God was evident in the way she lived – with grace, kindness, and a servant's heart.  She remained an active and dedicated member.

On December 11, 1966, she united in Holy Matrimony to the late George Bush.  Their union was blessed with love, commitment, and family.  Essie Mae was a proud graduate of Choctaw County Training School, and later retired from Tom Orr Vocational Center in 1999, after years of faithful service.

Mother Bush leaves to cherish her precious memories, five loving children: Douglas (Doris) Grice of Tuscaloosa, AL; Ricky (MaryAnn) Bush of Butler, AL; Odessa Turner of Butler, AL; Donna Robinson (Evan Dees) of Butler, AL; Martha DuBose of Butler, AL.  She was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren: Antwaun Robinson, Alexis (Samuel) Crawford, Ricky Bush II, Courtney Grice, Jermaine Bush, Aaliyah DuBose, Kendra Turner, Wellington Grice, and Jalen Bush; six great-grandchildren: Christina Grice, Wellington Grice, Jr., Josiah Grice, Havana Chaney, Samuel Crawford, Jr., and Alyvia Robinson.  She is lovingly remembered by her devoted sister, Julia Carter of Butler, AL; brother, Will (Veronica) Grice of Detroit, MI; special nieces, Brenda Jackson, Shelia Ford, and Sarah Cade; grandchildren-in-love, Valnesshia Bryant, ShenetriaSmith, Terrica Robinson, Erica Cunningham, Matilda Gray, Kimberly Henderson, Rodney Ruffin; special friends, Pinkie Kennedy and Mr. Tommie Littlepage; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kennedy and Dessie Grice; her beloved husband, George Bush; siblings, Bessie Moss, Janie Dixon, Rosie Williams, Willie Grice, Clint Grice, Earnest Grice, and Charlie Grice; and many other dear relatives.

Mother Bush loved God, her family, and everyone who crossed her path.  She was known for her warmth, her strength, and her enduring faith.  Her legacy of love, wisdom, and her devotion will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.