Loraine "Rush" Bartlett

Loraine Rush Bartlett, 80, passed away on May 13, 2013 in Carthage, Missouri. Loraine Faye Rush was born January 19, 1933 to Lloyd Herbert Rush and Clara Richters Rush at McCune-Brooks Hospital in Carthage. The nurses were all amazed by her beautiful “violet” eyes. Her eyes shared happiness and kindness throughout her life. Loraine attended Carthage schools and graduated from Carthage Senior High School in 1950. She made lasting friendships during school and enjoyed planning and attending class reunions throughout the years. She was offered a full scholarship to attend the University of Indiana for theater, but chose to stay close to home attending Joplin Junior College and becoming active in the Joplin Little Theater. During her career she worked with her parents at the Rush Insurance Agency, which she later purchased from them. She appreciated and enjoyed friendships with her insurance clients over the years. She spent the last 26 years of her career at Locarni Marble Company, Carthage. A devoted mother, she was very active in the Parent Teacher Associations of Hawthorne and Mark Twain Elementary schools, as well as the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Carthage. Family was the cornerstone of her life and she thoroughly enjoyed keeping the family history and researching genealogy. Through her work she became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution-Rhoda Fairchild Chapter 16 years ago. Loraine loved Carthage and was a member of the Carthage Historical Society and Carthage Art Central. As a career business woman she also enjoyed her membership and friends in the American Business Women’s Association-Peace Star Chapter where she served in many leadership positions. As an avid life-long reader she was honored to serve on the committee that assisted architects to design the new addition to the Carthage Public Library to preserve history while bridging into the future. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Lois (Rush) Kirchner. She is survived by her son Rush Lloyd Bartlett (Brenda) Tulsa, Oklahoma and daughter Susan Bartlett-Alvey of Carthage. Grandchildren Rush Lloyd Bartlett II (Amy) of Palo Alto, California; Katherine Kayleah Bartlett of Houston, Texas; Kristine Klara Bartlett of Tulsa; and Clare Elise Bartlett-Alvey of Carthage. She was extremely proud and thankful for all of her grandchildren. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 23rd at Ulmer Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at Park Cemetery Carthage. Contributions can be made to Carthage Public Library in Loraine’s name in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Loraine "Rush" Bartlett

January 19, 1933 - May 13, 2013