Trending
CANFIELD -- Mrs. Edna Anita Bush, 89, transitioned to her heavenly home on Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.
Mrs. Bush was born Nov. 27, 1936 in Clairton, Pa., a daughter of Willie Sr. and Lillie Mae Brown Smith.
Edna graduated from The Rayen High School in 1954. She also graduated from Comptometrist School, where she received a certificate.
She had worked for 25 plus years at Southside Hospital as a nurse's assistant in the emergency department, retiring in 1985.
She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church from the age of 6, where she served on its missions, choir, culinary committee, pastor's aide and was a mentor to many. She was also a member of the Gospel Crusaders, The Shannon singing group, The Traveling Cavaliers. She was the first secretary at Mount Moriah House of Prayer at its inception and a former member of Truth Chapel, where she served as the first lady, Sunday school teacher and worship leader. Edna led many children to the Lord. She would bring the children off the streets, feed and bathe them, and teach them about Jesus. She loved the Lord, singing and praising God. She had a passion for life, living it to the fullest, enjoying family, friends, her children and especially her grandchildren.
Edna was very active in the community, where she was a member of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), the Fair Flight Archery Club and the Bonanza Club and Bodimus Senior Activity Center. She also was the Madison School PTA president and secretary, the Pearl Street Missions girls' basketball coach and a Brownie Scout leader. Her enjoyment was in bowling, hunting, skating, archery, baking and baseball. Edna was an avid Cleveland Browns fan. Edna was also a swing dancer -- once her partner flipped her over his head! Edna loved playing bingo for fun and also had 20-40 boards, memorizing all the numbers even a week prior to her transitioning. She loved deer hunting with her bow and arrow; she was an expert with one kill to her credit. She was also a skilled bowler with a high score of 269!
She leaves to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life and legacy, four daughters, Min. Arnetta Stokes of Bloomfield, Michigan, Co-Pastor Loreatha (Co-Pastor L. Brian) Hawkins of Campbell, Assoc. Pastor Linda (Willie) Hall of Youngstown and Audrey (Lee) Tillis of Canfield; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; three god-grandchildren; seven great-godchildren and eight stepchildren. Also, she leaves her brother, Bishop Arnold K. Smith and her sister, Audrey Harris, both of Youngstown; and a host of brothers and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, other family, church family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence L. Bush, whom she married Sept. 28, 1974, and who passed away Aug. 5, 2014; her siblings, Willie Smith and George Smith; and godson, Willie Tillis.
Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Antioch Baptist Church, 110 Funston St., Youngstown. A celebration of life service will follow at 10 a.m.
Ministry of comfort, love and dignity entrusted to L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.
(special notice)