From her dimpled smile to her sweetness, our mother was the epitome of grace and beauty. She taught us about life and how to be resilient while being thankful for the good times and the blessings. We know about God because of her wisdom but most importantly, through her example because she lived her life as a woman of faith. She always had a listening ear, kind words to share, a joke to make us laugh, and the greatest level of support, encouragement, and inspiration that defies explanation. We knew she loved us with everything in her soul. We felt it and she constantly let us know. In her eyes, her children were the light of the world. To us, she was, and still is, our Queen Mother.

Mrs. Willie Pearl Bush was born on March 5, 1948 to the late Charles Bush and Hattie Pearl Clay Bush in Macon, Mississippi as the oldest of nine children. Raised partially in Cliftonville, MS and later relocating to Columbus with her late grandmother, Mrs. Willie R. Williams, she graduated from R.E. Hunt High School in 1968. Baptized at an early age, she attended and served at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church for several years. She is most well-known for being a soloist and singing soprano in the choir. She gave birth to her eldest child, Trinity Deforris Bush, on January 1, 1969. Four years later, she gave birth to her daughter, Chandra Trinita Harkins, on July 2, 1973 before marrying Joseph Harkins shortly afterwards on September 1, 1973 during a private ceremony at her grandmother's house. At the time of her husband's passing in June 2019, they had been married for 45 years.

After working as a Quality Control Supervisor and Administrative Assistant for over 30 years at a surgical equipment facility, our mother retired due to health reasons but continued to strive to improve her well-being. She was a testimony of the miracle-working power of God throughout her life. We want our mother to be remembered for the love she shared with her children, family and friends. If you had a relationship with her or knew her in any way, remember her sweetness, kindness, and generosity.

Our mother leaves to cherish and honor her life: her mother, Mrs. Hattie Pearl Bush; four sisters, Rose Tucker of Georgia, Lartha Fulgham, Ollie Jean Bush, and Betty Lowery of Columbus; and five brothers-in-law. She is preceded in death by three brothers, one half-brother, two nephews, and three brother in-laws, Bill Bush, David Bush, Bobby C. Bush, James Ledbetter (half-brother), Mauriel Bush (nephew), Jeremy Tucker (Nephew), and brothers-in-law, Willie Bob Harkins, Clyde Harkins, Sr, and James Fulgham. She also has four grandchildren (Trinity Bush Bishop, Paris Easterwood, Ashley Adams, and Destiny Bush), six great-grandchildren; thirty nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.